30 September 2016 - The 22nd Annual Health Sector Joint Review Mission (JRM) under the theme “Embracing new health reforms and innovation to improve Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) services in Uganda took place at the  Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala.

The objectives of the 22nd JRM were:

• To receive and discuss the sector performance report for the Financial Year 2015/16
• To receive and discuss sector progress in implementation of the 21st JRM priority areas
• Discuss and agree upon the priorities, targets and major inputs required for the financial year 2017/18
• Recognize and reward good performance.

The Ministry of Health (MoH) leadership in a presentation, shared the performance of Health Sector against the key Health Sector Development Plan (HSDP) at the JRM. Prior to the JRM, the MoH conducted pre- JRM visits and pilot Regional JRM in the Rwenzori and West Nile Regions. The two activities generated a report detailing the gains and challenges of the health sector in the two regions which were shared at the 22nd JRM. 

The MoH also carried out a Hospital and Health Centre IV survey. The survey findings indicate that whereas there has been an improvement in health service delivery, health facilities are still understaffed.

In her remarks, the Minister of Health Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng said that the issue of health facility understaffing would be addressed. She further said that the sector had made great strides despite the looming challenges. Dr. Aceng made a commitment to improving the systems problem in the health sector saying, “With support from partners, we are committed to addressing health system challenges.”

The Ambassador of Belgium to Uganda, Amb.  Hugo Verbist made remarks on behalf of the Health Development Partners (HDP), whose secretariat is the World Health Organization (WHO) in Uganda and commended MoH and Government for following guidance given to the ministry by HDP. He further said lessons drawn from the JRM are key to improving the health sector. Amb. Hugo applauded improved health service delivery in Uganda, committing the HDP’s support to MoH to further improve it.

The 22nd Joint Review Meeting of the Health Sector was attended by Senior MoH Officials, District Health Officers, academia, Parliamentarians, private health practitioners’ coordinating body, Civil Society Organisations, HDPs including United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Centre for Disease Control (CDC), WHO, United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), World Bank, Department for International Development (DFID), Belgian Technical Cooperation (BTC), Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), and the media. An aide memoire highlighting the agreed priorities, major inputs, and targets for 2016/2017 will be signed by all key stakeholders at the end of the JRM.