Polly Nuwagaba (left) presenting to the team at Protea Hotel. PHOTO: Michael Odeng

The Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have called on the government to expeditiously implement the school health policy, which has stalled for 18 years.

The call was made during a capacity building training on the policy development process in Uganda in Kampala.

It was organised by Center for Health Human Rights and Development (CEHURD).

The training was aimed at building the capacity of voices for health partners and allies on the policy-making processes.

A policy is a course or principle of action adopted by the government or executive of a state, intended to guide decisions and achieve rational outcome.

The senior management in the Ministry of Education and Sports approved the policy, awaiting for certificate of financial implication from the Ministry of Finance.

Annah Kukundakwe from CEHURD explained that once everything is resolved, it would pave way for a bill into parliament.

Once passed by parliament, the policy is expected to make it possible for every learner to access relevant health services, information, knowledge and skills that are appropriate for their age, gender, culture, language and context.

The education and health sectors would also provide guidelines on how to manage cases of pregnant schoolgirls, who prefer to continue with their education both during pregnancy and after giving birth.

“All educational institutions should be linked to qualified skilled health workers to deliver the service packages to schools, with treatment facilities overseen by a health facility within the catchment area,” states part of the policy.

Professor Robert Basaza advised CSO members to consult different stakeholders to have their input to avoid the policy from being rejected by Parliament.

He said policies fail due to lack of political will.

Basaza said it is important to accurately identify and understand what the social, economic or political issue is in policy-making process.

Noor Nakiubuuka, also working with CEHURD tasked CSOs to advocate for equitable policy.

Way forward

In order to move the policy forward, the CSOs have vowed to meet officials from the Ministry of Health, Finance and Education.

They also agreed to popularize the policy among teachers and students across the country and ignite fire at the local government level.