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Management Information Systems (HMIS), District Health Information System (DHIS)-2 which is an
electronic web-based reporting mechanism and revised reporting tools availed to ensure
disaggregation and Human Resource for Health Information System (HRIS). In addition, several local
innovation eHealth and mHealth initiatives exist. However, the mobile-cellular network coverage is
not widespread and the poor neither have access to Smartphones nor can afford airtime and internet
data to access health information. On average 3.8% of the household heads own a computer.
The findings of this exercise indicate that a lot of progress has been made in addressing health access
for the poor in Uganda. Uganda has invested tremendously in developing health sector reforms,
policies and strategies aimed at meeting its Universal Health Coverage goals. However, there has been
little progress in changing the key health status indicators in Uganda. The findings flag-posts the
following:
 There is a trade-off between equity and quality. Gaining health equity comes at a sacrifice of
efficiency /quality.
 The 5km radius target for households versus health facilities does not guarantee access if
supply-side issues like health worker motivation, commodities and quality are not addressed.
The absence of the latter can be a barrier to access too.
 The new technologies are many and increasing in cost. Thus, these may delay Universal Health
Coverage.
 Implementation of the basic care package is possible if governments from developing
countries commit at least 15% of their National Budgets to health and define the package very
clearly.
 The government needs to explore ways to fund the country’s own priorities.
 Accessing healthcare is challenging for the poor because of high out of pocket expenditure.
Possible recommendations for Uganda include:
 The health sector needs to work towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) through
establishment and operationalization of a national health insurance schemes while harnessing
synergies from public and private partnerships and strengthening the referral systems. The
National Health Insurance once operationalized would lead to reduction in the long-term
indebt-ness or poverty caused by out of pocket expenses for the poor and reductions on the
contribution of development partners that contribute substantially to financing of health
services in Uganda.
 Increased Government revenue for funding health care would improve access to health among
the poor. Encourage community financing systems for the poor to relieve them from the
burden of catastrophic health expenditures.
 There is need to make an economic case to invest in reproduction health MNCAH and NCDs in
Uganda just like infectious diseases that are relatively well funded.
 Governments needs to harness the growing ICT sector to increase access to information by the
poor. The existing e- health and m-health platforms need to be regularly assessed, costed and
regulated by Ministry of Health and Uganda Communications Commissions with the aim to
ensure efficient and effective standardized ICT systems that can improve access to health by
the poor.
 There is need to streamline the referral systems and mobilizing local resources for
sustainability. Strengthening the referral systems with ambulance that are well equipped and
facilitated with fuel would improve service utilization.
 Improving availability of medicines for NCDs, family planning commodities and other key
essential medical supplies and medical diagnostics.
 Free services /with good demand creation activity through mobilization.
 The re-introduction of modest user-fees at public health facilities, proper implementation of
performance-based financing may help to improve service quality, reduce absenteeism from