Post-budget reactions on allocation for Health sector in Uganda

Health economist at the Makerere University School of Public Health, Dr Elizabeth Ekirapa

Dr Elizabeth Ekirapa, Health Economist. (Courtesy)

The allocation translates into 6.1% of the budget needed to ensure the population is healthy and productive. The Ministry of Health should focus on using the money efficiently by prioritising investment in expanding preventive care to reduce the high burden of preventable illnesses. The money should also institutionalise health technology assessment to rationalise the introduction of new technologies. The money should strengthen leadership and management capacity to promote evidence-guided planning and implementation using the available funding.

State Minister for Health in charge of Primary Health Care, Dr Charles Ayume

Dr Charles Ayume, State Minister for Health in charge of Primary Health Care. (Courtesy)

I am happy with the health priority areas in the budget. There are global, regional, and local challenges that are affecting the health sector, including global budget cuts and the current Ebola threat, among others. The health sector has remained resilient in the past, even when we had COVID-19. I am confident that even with the sh5.23 trillion, we can deliver health services efficiently. We have to plug wastages in the health sector, like pilferage of medicines and equipment, absenteeism, and encourage health promotion and disease prevention.

Dr Susan Nakireka, President of the East Africa NCD Alliance

Dr Nakireka Susan Tumwesigye, Specialist Physician at Mengo Hospital. (Courtesy)

The health budget has previously been below the 15% Abuja declaration by African Union states to allocate towards health. And the budget towards non-communicable diseases (NCDs) has even been lower at less than 1%. Yet, NCDs are increasing at a fast rate, requiring large financial investments in screening, health education of the public, training health workers, providing medicines and diagnostics, research and infrastructure, as well as other services.

This reduction in the already small health budget will greatly affect the efforts towards dealing with this rising burden of NCDs. I would recommend that within this budget, NCDS should be prioritised by increasing the percentage allocation. Ultimately, the total health budget should be increased.

Advocacy Lead at PATH, Esther Nasikye

Esther Nasikye, Advocacy Lead at PATH. (Courtesy)

The health sector allocation of sh5.23 trillion demonstrates continued government commitment to health, particularly in maternal and child health, nutrition, immunisation, and essential medicines. However, the reduction from sh5.87 trillion in the previous financial year comes at a time when Uganda is facing declining external donor support and increasing demand for health services.

Whether this investment translates into improved health outcomes will depend not only on the amount allocated but also on how efficiently resources are utilised and whether funds reach frontline service delivery.

Greater attention is needed to primary health care, health worker recruitment and retention, commodity security, and accountability for results.

Uganda should also accelerate domestic resource mobilisation and strengthen citizen engagement.

Executive Director of the National Forum of People Living with HIV and AIDS Network Uganda (NAFOPHANU), Flavia Kyomukama

Esther Nasikye, Advocacy Lead at PATH, advancing health advocacy and policy engagement. (Courtesy)

A decline in the budget is a disappointment because it is the time when the country should be strengthening systems by sustaining and scaling up the budget. However, for sustainability, we can't be seen as a country reducing the budget. It is a decline in domestic funding for our own health system. Dependence on external donors and debts does seem to be our constant instead of our past.