Uganda News

Uganda eliminated leprosy as a public health problem in 1994, a result of combined efforts by health authorities in the country. However, over the years, registered cases of this neglected tropical disease have gradually increased from 121 cases in 2017 to 518 cases reported in 2022.  

Recognizing this increment, the stigma and discrimination associated with the disease, Uganda developed and launched a Zero Leprosy roadmap in October 2023, an initiative to integrate comprehensive care for leprosy into existing healthcare services.  

In the West Nile region of Uganda, Dawa Zubeda, a mother of five, has been on a harrowing journey to improve her youngest son's health. Her story mirrors the struggle of many parents facing the harsh realities of severe malnutrition.

Zubeda’s journey to the health facility was fraught with uncertainty and fear. “When I took my son to the hospital, I thought he had malaria. He was weak, with a swollen body and no appetite,” she recalled.

The Ugandan Ministry of Health has today received an ambulance worth USD 47,378.48, equivalent to UGX 178,598,866, to support prehospital care in Karamoja sub region. The ambulance was donated by the Embassy of Ireland in Uganda, through World Health Organization, as part of their health partnership towards the regionalized Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system.

The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), convened a 2-day roundtable discussion to reflect on priority strategies and reforms to accelerate progress towards achieving sustainable and effective financing of health in Uganda.

The Ugandan Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization (WHO), and its partners carried out awareness-raising and community engagement activities to commemorate World Health Day in Uganda. In line with the theme "My health, my right," these activities included a public sports walk, mass screening for communicable and non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and a blood donation drive.

Uganda has a well-established health system that integrates and responds to the needs of migrants, refugees, and host communities. This was the conclusion of the five-day mission to assess the health needs of refugees and migrants conducted from 12th to 16th February 2024 in Kyangwali, Kampala, and Kiryandongo refugee settlements. 
 

The World Health Organization and Makerere School of Public Health (MakSPH) are engaged in discussions on how MakSPH may qualify as a WHO Collaborating Centre (WHOCC) in Uganda. This came up during the meeting to review the performance of the five-year memorandum of understanding between the two institutions on planning and implementing joint research projects in priority public health areas in the country.

World Health Day is celebrated every 7th April. This year’s theme is “My Health, My Right”. Through this theme, Uganda recognizes that the achievement of Universal Health Coverage requires that people have access to affordable, equitable, good quality, and sustainable health care.

This theme is therefore timely as Uganda continues to implement various interventions to meet the needs of its population based on our commitment to ensuring that our people have access to quality healthcare without facing financial hardship by 2030.

Today, Uganda joins the rest of the world in commemorating World Health Day with the theme "My health, my right". This theme highlights that the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is a fundamental right of every human being irrespective of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition. The right to health for all people means that everyone should have access to the health services they need, when and where they need them, without suffering financial hardship.

Dr Olive Sentumbwe Mugisa is a wife and mother of four. A Doctor of Medicine with a master's degree in obstetrics and gynecology, Olive is an exceptional Ugandan woman who has worked hard to achieve her career goals.