MPs Press for Urgent Action to Fix Persistent Healthcare Gaps

Uganda’s health sector is experiencing a positive shift in public trust, with more citizens seeking medical attention at local facilities. According to Minister of Health Hon. Chris Baryomunsi, over 66 per cent of patients now visit lower-level centres like Health Centres III and IV. Government institutions handle the majority of outpatient visits at 77 per cent, followed by private-not-for-profit providers at 13 per cent and private-for-profit entities at 10 per cent.

Despite these indicators of progress, legislators during a plenary session voiced strong concerns regarding persistent systemic challenges. Speaking on behalf of the opposition, Soroti District Woman Representative Hon. Anna Adeke argued that there is minimal cause for celebration. She pointed out that government funding remains stagnant at roughly 7 per cent, falling far short of the 15 per cent target outlined in the Abuja Declaration.

Adeke further criticized the delays in operationalizing the National Health Insurance Scheme, noting that out-of-pocket expenses force citizens to cover up to 32 per cent of total health costs. This financial burden reportedly pushes more than 13 per cent of households into catastrophic poverty every year. Lawmakers stressed that physical infrastructure alone cannot define success when service readiness and financial protection remain inadequate.

Addressing the sector’s operational hurdles, Minister Baryomunsi acknowledged that the financing requirement for essential medicines and medical supplies has climbed to US$1.06 billion, leaving a funding gap of US$491 million. He also noted that staff shortages persist at a 34 per cent staffing gap, while malaria cases continue to surge in regions such as Acholi, Teso, and Lango.

To tackle these hurdles, the Ministry aims to improve staffing levels to 55 per cent by 2030 and expand the Community Health Extension Worker initiative. However, MPs like Mityana Municipality representative Hon. Francis Zaake argued that corruption remains a major roadblock. Zaake called for stricter measures against the theft of medical supplies and equipment, alongside better compensation to boost the morale of healthcare workers.

Additionally, the ministry reported that road traffic fatalities stand at 35.4 per 100,000 people, missing the financial year target of 27.7 due to infrastructure issues and poor safety enforcement.

Read the full report on Parliament of Uganda.