MPs Urge Urgent Action on Healthcare Gaps Despite Progress

Uganda’s health sector has experienced a positive shift, with more citizens showing trust in local medical facilities. According to Minister of Health Hon. Chris Baryomunsi, over 66 percent of patients are now seeking care at lower-level facilities such as Health Centres III and IV. Government health facilities accounted for 77 percent of outpatient visits, signaling a growing reliance on public infrastructure.

Despite these encouraging figures, members of parliament during a plenary session voiced deep concerns over persistent systemic issues. Representing the opposition, Hon. Anna Adeke argued that there is little cause for celebration while critical financing gaps remain unaddressed. She pointed out that government spending on health stagnates at roughly 7 percent, falling well short of the 15 percent target outlined in the Abuja Declaration.

Furthermore, delays in operationalizing the National Health Insurance Scheme force citizens to pay out-of-pocket for up to 32 percent of their medical expenses. This financial burden pushes more than 13 percent of households into catastrophic poverty every year. Lawmakers also challenged the ministry’s focus on physical infrastructure, emphasizing that true healthcare success depends on medicine availability and financial protection for vulnerable populations.

The ministry acknowledged major hurdles, including a massive funding gap for essential medicines, an understaffing rate of 34 percent, and climbing malaria cases in regions like Acholi, Teso, and Lango. Minister Baryomunsi outlined plans to gradually increase staffing levels to 55 percent by 2030 and expand community health worker programs.

Meanwhile, legislators like Hon. Francis Zaake drew attention to internal challenges such as the theft of medical equipment and supplies, alongside poor remuneration for health workers that continues to hurt morale. The discussions also highlighted alarming road traffic mortality rates, which remain well above national targets due to infrastructure and safety enforcement issues.

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