MP Ayume protests proposed sh113b cut to health budget

Jan 26, 2022

In April 2001, African governments pledged in the Abuja Declaration to allocate at least 15% of their annual budgets to healthcare by 2015

Dr Charles Ayume the Koboko Municipality MP.

Umar Kashaka
Journalist @New Vision

The chairperson of the parliamentary health committee, Dr Charles Ayume, has joined female legislators protesting against a budget cut of sh113b for the health sector in the financial year 2022/23.

The budget cut affects the Uganda AIDS Commission, National Medical Stores, Uganda Virus Research Institute and Mulago National Referral Hospital, among others.

On Tuesday, the Uganda Women Parliamentary Association (UWOPA) and Ayume who represents Koboko Municipality, asked Parliament to reverse the decision to cut sh113b from the Ministry of Health's budget for the next financial year.

Brenda Namukuta, the Kaliro woman MP, claimed that 97% of pregnant women in Uganda attend antenatal care clinics, but only 60% complete at least 4 out of 8 recommended visits and only 29% have their first visit during the 1st trimester.

UWOPA, which is chaired by the Tororo Woman MP, Sarah Opendi, also demanded in a press conference at Parliament that the health ministry sets up dedicated hotlines where women in labour can report all cases of corruption and negligence at a health facility.

It wants the government to increase the health budget to at least 15% as per the Abuja Declaration so that gaps are plugged.

In April 2001, African governments pledged in the Abuja Declaration to allocate at least 15% of their annual budgets to healthcare by 2015, but just a few countries have met this goal.

These countries that have hit the target include Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Rwanda, Togo and Zambia.

“We also need improved access to quality care and medicines among poor and marginalized populations,” the female MPs demanded.

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