Minister Matia Kasaija announced that the Ministry of Finance has allocated Shs 2.946 trillion for the FY 2024/2025 to significantly enhance the health of Ugandans.
This new allocation will focus on a variety of critical health interventions aimed at improving the overall healthcare system in Uganda.
Minister Kasaija highlighted that the allocation will go towards the promotion and implementation of disease prevention and health education initiatives. These initiatives will target communicable, non-communicable, and neglected tropical diseases, as well as injuries.
The government will also provide essential medicines, with an additional Shs 100 billion specifically set aside to ensure their availability.
A key component of the allocation is the improvement of the welfare of health workers, including medical interns and doctors designated as senior house officers. More wage allocations have been provided to facilitate the recruitment of staff for the upgraded Health Centre IIIs. This is expected to enhance the capacity and efficiency of healthcare delivery at the grassroots level.
The construction and rehabilitation of health infrastructure and the provision of medical equipment will also receive significant attention. This includes the Uganda Cancer Institute, Regional Cancer Centres, the Uganda Heart Institute, Intensive Care Units, and an imaging center for referral hospitals. These developments are aimed at improving the quality of care and the provision of specialized healthcare services across the country.
The budget will further support the digitization of the national health system. This initiative is intended to facilitate better service delivery and the efficient tracking of medical supplies and health workers’ performance.
Additionally, the government plans to undertake the construction, rehabilitation, and equipping of dilapidated hospitals across the country, with a particular focus on the Kampala Metropolitan Area.
Strengthening the network of medical reference laboratories is another priority. This includes the establishment of the East African Community Regional Centre of Excellence for Virology at the Uganda Virus Research Institute and the National Public Health Institute in Uganda. These facilities will play a crucial role in enhancing the country’s capacity to respond to public health threats.
Furthermore, the establishment of a Pharmaceutical Industrial Park and the strengthening of the National Drug Authority Regulatory Framework are also on the agenda. These measures are expected to boost the local pharmaceutical industry and ensure the quality and safety of medicines available in the market.
Reflecting on the achievements of the FY 2023/2024, the health sector made significant strides with several initiatives. The government commenced the construction of the East African Centre of Excellence for Cardiovascular Care at the Uganda Heart Institute located in Naguru and fast-tracked the completion of the East African Centre of Excellence for Oncology in Kampala. Associated regional centers in Gulu, Mbarara, Arua, and Mbale also saw substantial progress.
Under the Uganda Inter-Governmental Fiscal Transfers (UGIFT) Programme, 371 Health Centre IIs were planned for construction and upgrade to Health Centre III status. To date, 261 Health Centre IIs have been upgraded and are fully operational, with an additional 110 at various stages of completion. Furthermore, 11 hospitals were rehabilitated in districts including Busolwe, Kapchorwa, Kambuga, Buwenge, Koboko, Amuria, Kotido, Kaberamaido, Kawolo, and Kitgum.
In addition, three regional blood banks in Arua, Soroti, and Hoima were completed, significantly improving the country’s blood storage and distribution capabilities. To combat malaria, the government distributed a total of 25 million long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito bed-nets nationwide. The provision of 116 new ambulances to 100 constituencies, 10 ambulances for the Regional Referral Hospitals, and six for the Command Centre at Naguru further strengthened emergency medical services.
Minister Kasaija emphasized that these substantial investments in the health sector are critical for improving the health and well-being of Ugandans.
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