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Health Uganda

Context

The specific problem for the target groups is the poor overall health situation in Uganda, with in general a worse situation in rural areas as compared to cities and high mortality rates -especially related to childbirth and HIV/AIDS- in the conflict affected North and Northeast Uganda. At the micro level access to basic health services is less than in other parts of the country and limited to only 1 physician and 7 nursing and midwifery personnel per 10.000 population (in Karamoja 1 physician /50.000 and 1 midwife /30.000). An issue in the entire target area is the limited health seeking behaviour.  At micro and meso level a major problem is the lack of qualified health personnel eg. insufficient retainment policies. Village Health Teams (VHTs) have a crucial role to play. This is a non-statutory structure, based at grass root level (local council/village) and is responsible for delivering health (related) services at households. As a community based team, its main function is geared towards the promotion of health and prevention of diseases. The VHTs provide the link between the community and the health centres and could play a key role in awareness raising. However, although setting up these teams is currently underway, this is a slow process due to lack of funding. At macro level the health sector is severely underfunded and, dependence on external support is strong. ,Effective and efficient use of resources needs considerable improvements and progress in coverage of quality health services is limited by health system constraints, which include poor governance and coordination, corruption and decreasing transparency.

Aim of the programme

In general, it is envisaged that the objectives will be achieved through the following strategies/components:

• Strengthening the health care system to deliver comprehensive quality services.
• Supporting provision of SRH/HIV  (Sexual and reproductive health, including HIV)
• Building the capacity of health consumer groups (village groups)
• Strengthening the institutional capacity of CBOs (including church based organizations) and NGOs.

Most of the activities in the area of policy influencing will be implemented at the level of the alliance; also learning activities take place at this level.

There is a clear link between the objectives of the Ugandan health cluster with the Ugandan health objectives. These are the Ugandan health objectives:

• To ensure the provision and increase the utilisation of Basic health care (part of UNMHCP) services for SRHR/HIV to all people in Uganda, with emphasis on vulnerable populations.
• To increase availability of appropriately trained health workforce (Including VHTs) in order to meet the health needs (promote effective prevention of SRHR problems, HIV transmission and disabilities) of the people of Uganda.
• To ensure that communities are empowered to take responsibility for their own health and well being and to participate actively in the management of their local health services.