Uganda’s Finance Minister, Matia
Kasaija, yesterday presented the national budget for the financial
year 2015/16 at Kampala Serena. Kasaija who was a junior minister took over
from Maria Kiwanuka in the March Cabinet reshuffle.
Hon. Kasaija said
that an allocation of sh1.270.8 trillion out of shs24 trillion, has been
approved to the health sector.
Uganda Minister of Finance, Hon
Matia Kasaija arriving at Kampala Serena to present the national budget for the
financial year 2015/16. Photo/NationFFM
He also noted that over a number of years, health service
delivery has improved as a result of Government interventions with the support
of our development partners. From 2006 to 2014 antiretroviral therapy coverage
increased from 53 percent to 77 percent, and the Contraceptive Use Prevalence
Rate has increased from 24 percent to 30 percent.
The government has undertaken skills
development for health workers. Under a Bursary scheme, training and bonding
has taken place for 500 midwives, 200 health workers in medicines logistics
management, 107 in data management and 296 in integrated diseases surveillance.
He added that despite the progress being
registered, Uganda’s high population growth rate, driven by the high fertility
rate, poses challenges for health care delivery. Women and children remain the
most vulnerable groups to diseases. In order to reduce the disease burden faced
by Ugandans, Government has undertaken the following actions:-
“Developed a rapid response mechanism
outbreaks of epidemics such as Ebola, Marburg, Yellow fever, and Cholera, in
addition to establishing a Laboratory for diagnosis of Viral Hemorrhagic Fever
and an Emergency Operation Centre (EOC),” he said.
He noted that the government implemented an
aggressive Malaria Reduction Strategic Plan with a target to eliminate malaria
deaths and reduce incidences of malaria to 30 cases per 1000 population, by
2020.
Honorable Kasaija also said that there is a
decrease in HIV/AIDS new infections from 147,000 in 2011 to 137,000 in 2013.
HIV prevalence is now estimated at 7.3 percent.
“Increased the number of health centers
offering Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) from 2,138 in 2013
to 3,248 facilities in 2014,” he said.
He also noted that there is an increased the
proportion of pregnant women living with HIV accessing Anti-Retro Viral
treatment (ARVs) from 33 percent in 2007 to 87 percent in 2014 as a result of
Increased testing for HIV in pregnant women from 30 percent in 2008 to 95
percent in 2014.
"Significantly reduced the number of HIV
infection in new born children from 28,000 in the year 2009 to a projected
8,000 as at the end 2014,” he added.
The Finance Minister also said that there is
an increased in the number of accredited health facilities that provide ARVs
from 475 in 2011 to 1,603 by December 2014; This includes 100 percent of public
hospitals, 91 percent Health Center IVs are providing ART and 87 percent of
Health Centre IVs are also providing pediatric ART.
Reduced by half the number of people dying
from Tuberculosis (TB) from 9,900 in 1990 to 4,700, thereby achieving the
Millennium Development Goal (MDG) Six target.
Government is also strengthening the capacity
of specialized health facilities such as the Uganda Heart Institute and the
Uganda Cancer Institute to tackle the increasing cases of medical conditions
that require specialized care, and reduce on the cost of referrals for medical
treatment abroad.
Hon Kasaija said that in the next year, an
allocation of Shs. 1,270.8 billion has been approved to the Health Sector.
Interventions in the Health will include construction of specialized Maternal
and Neonatal unit in Mulago hospital with funding from the Islamic Development
Bank (IDB).
“Continue the construction, expansion,
rehabilitation and equipping of Mulago Hospital will continue and expected to
be completed by December 2016,” he added.
The government will procure ten (10)
ambulances for the planned Ambulance System for Kampala metropolitan area.
He added that government will rehabilitate
and upgrade Rukunyu, Maracha, Kansunganyanja, and Rwashamaire health centers;
An illustration of the budget
allocation for 2015/16 . Courtesy of New Vision
Procure assorted essential medical equipment
and furniture for ten (10) General Hospitals, 10 Health Centre IVs, 30 Health
Centre IIIs and 20 Health Centre IIs countrywide;
With support from the Italian Government, we
shall construct 69 housing units at Health Centre IIIs in districts of Kaabong,
Abim, Kotido, Moroto, Amudat, Napak and Nakapiripirit in the Karamoja region;
Continue rehabilitation of the following hospitals:-Adjumani,
Kitgum, Kabarole, Kiboga. Kapchorwa, Kamwenge Pallisa, Itojo, Kitagata Bugiri,
Atutur, Apac, Abim, Bundibugyo, Kaberamaido and Masindi.
Reconstruct Kawolo and Busolwe Hospitals with
the aid of a Spanish Debt Swap Grant; This will include extensions of Out
Patient/Casualty units, building obstetric theatres, expansion of the delivery
suites, and improvement of maternity wards;
Rehabilitate expand and equip Yumbe and
Kayunga Hospitals with support from the Saudi Fund/Opec Fund for International
Development (OFID) and Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA).
This will include construction of Staff houses and provision of ambulances.
Enhance the treatment against
Hepatitis B with an allocation of Shs. 10 billion.
Government will directly seek to address the
health of mothers and children. Providing comprehensive antenatal care and
malaria prevention for pregnant women, in addition to HIV voluntary counseling
and testing services and nutritional supplements will go a long way in this
quest.
With the enhanced provision of Emergency
Obstetric Care medical supplies, in addition to improving referral and support
supervision, maternal mortality rates are projected to fall from 438 per
100,000 live births to 220 per 100,000 live births with these interventions.
Government also aims reduce infant mortality rates from 54 per 1,000 live
births to 44 per 1,000 live births.
Written by Esther Namirimu
Communications Officer of UNASO
