Health ministry launches crusade

By Ebenezer Bifubyeka THE Ministry of Health has launched a crusade to increase the accessibility to health facilities within five kilometres of poor households from 49% to 80% by 2005. This was contained in a 99-page ‘Health Sector Strategic Plan 2000/01-2004/05’ presented at a training workshop at Pelikan Hotel, Mbarara last week. The master plan report from the ministry said there was evidence to show that distance to health facilities was a significant barrier preventing the poor from having access to health care. “Presently, the percentage of households say, within walking distance from a health facility ranges from 9% in Kitgum to 100% in Kampala. The national average is 49%,” the report said. Dr. Grace Mulindwa, from the health planning department, said the ministry will provide appropriate medical equipment for healthcare and establish a functional referral system.