We need health system for all 1 Year, 4 Months ago
There is a huge leadership and management gap in our health system. Maternal mortality figures revealed during the World Population Day are horrific. Some 984 out of 100,000 women die during childbirth or in pregnancy, yet this is touted as an improvement from 1,120 of 2000.
It is unbelievable that 45 years of independence; only 57 percent of births are assisted by trained attendants. It is also worrisome that in most cases, emergency obstetric care is not available because of distances or because the people cannot afford.
Another problem is that those who draw plans and allocate funds rarely receive treatment locally. They are flown to South Africa, India, United Kingdom or Germany at the slightest hint of illness. Had there been a deliberate policy to increase accessibility to or improve the health services because everyone regardless of status would use the same institutions, there would have been a marked leap in this sector.
We are told that condoms, ARVs and malaria drugs worth Shs1.65 billion are about to expire at the National Medical Stores. Instead of addressing these issues in Parliament, someone is advocating 4th term. Where is Uganda headed to?
