Thoughts about Uganda’s Health Care System
My story about Our health system isn’t a good one, but let me see how we go through today’s topic. Allow me to be very brief on this topic so I may guard my emotions.
First of all, A health system, also sometimes referred to as health care system or as healthcare system, is the organisation of people, institutions, and resources that deliver health care services to meet the health needs of target populations. Bearing in mind that in this system, I am on the receiving side, I felt I should give my simple views on what would be the Ideal Health Care system that would make every Ugandan proud.
The People — Health workers
I look forward to a system with well trained, smartly dressed, disciplined Health workers who are also well PAID at whatever level of qualification as long as they have started practising their profession. This should apply to both government and private hospitals.
The Patients
How would you feel, after arriving in a hospital whether private or public, You are received with care(a bright smiley face), registered and treated on time, with all the medication that was prescribed given without taking more than two hours? I would personally feel valued, taken care of and helped- this would even lead to my quick recovery.
The Institution- Hospitals, Health Centres and Clinics
I look forward to enough Institutions in every district up to the Parish level that have enough structures ( well furnished buildings), Clear administration, well equipped to the standard of that very Institution and with all the resources needed for that Institution to run smoothly. This will mean that everyone whether rich or poor will want to be treated from their motherland.
The Resources- Finances
Every year, the government of Uganda has a clear budget allocated for the health system but no one knows whether these funds actually get to do what they were budgeted for. If this was being done, we would have miserable health institutions. My prayer is to see these finances put to use in this very sector
The Health Insurance Policies
I look forward to one health care Insurance- National Health Insurance that takes care of its citizens. Like how other countries with good social protection policies; Citizens get free health care in all government hospitals because it is the role of a nation to ensure its people are protected and well taken care of. People pay taxes, these taxes should used for their benefit- Let us have free quality health services to all Ugandans.
while I appreciate what has transpired during this pandemic to protect the citizens, we seem to have put our eggs in one basket. Malaria has relaunched its self, child mortality is becoming high and before we know it the effects of COVID 19 will be more than the anticipated because of turning all our focus on it.
