Thursday 17 September 2015

Civil Society Health Manifesto 2016-2021- Launch in Pictures



Dr. Hanifa Kasule, Dr. Hanifa Kasule- National Professional Officer for Non Communicable diseases together with representatives of Civil Society Organisations launch the Civil Society Health Manifesto 2016-2021.

Dr. Hanifa Kasule, Dr. Hanifa Kasule- National Professional Officer for Non Communicable diseases together with representatives of Civil Society Organisations launch the Civil Society Health Manifesto 2016-2021.

Dr. Hanifa Kasule, Dr. Hanifa Kasule- National Professional Officer for Non Communicable diseases together with representatives of Civil Society Organisations launch the Civil Society Health Manifesto 2016-2021.

Dr. Hanifa Kasule, Dr. Hanifa Kasule- National Professional Officer for Non Communicable diseases giving a speech on behalf of the World Health Organisation before the launch the Civil Society Health Manifesto 2016-2021.

Dr. Hanifa Kasule, Dr. Hanifa Kasule- National Professional Officer for Non Communicable diseases together with representatives of Civil Society Organisations launch the Civil Society Health Manifesto 2016-2021.

Dr. Hanifa Kasule, Dr. Hanifa Kasule- National Professional Officer for Non Communicable diseases together with representatives of Civil Society Organisations launch the Civil Society Health Manifesto 2016-2021.

Mr. Joshua Wamboga, Executive Director of UNASO giving a speech on behalf of CSOs before the launch of the Civil Society Health Manifesto 2016-2021


Ms. Dorah Kiconco Executive Director of UGANET



Ms. Dianah Nanjegho, Senior Advocacy and Communications Officer of UGANET

Mr. William Kidega-Deputy Chief of Party PATH/USAID.

Mr. Jude Bigirwenkya-Regional Advocacy and Community Empowerment Officer-PATH USAID.

Ms Rachael Nandelenge of International Community of Women Living with HIV East Africa

Add caption

Mr. Moses Super Charger requested governement to make it possible for all People Living with HIV to easily access Viral Load Testing.



Dr. Hanifa Kasule, Dr. Hanifa Kasule, Dr. Hanifa Kasule- National Professional Officer for Non Communicable diseases giving a speech before launch the Civil Society Health Manifesto 2016-2021.



Mr. Patrick Kamara of NTV

Ms. Ruth Sempa of Sicklecell foundation




Andrew Masinde of New Vision

Ms.Halima Athuman- Journalist




Photos|Esther Namrimu | Communications Officer of UNASO.

Civil Society Health Manifesto Launch- Press Release

Civil Society Calls on Candidates to Put Health Services at the Heart of Uganda’s 2016 Election Campaigns: #NoHealthNoVotes!
Health Sector Manifesto defines 10 Actions Candidates Must Commit to in Order to Rebuild the Health Sector
A nation of sick Ugandans cannot benefit from economic development

(Kampala) A coalition of civil society organizations working for access to essential health services in Uganda today launched the “Uganda Election 2016 Health Manifesto,” a platform demanding all parties and candidates commit to correcting massive failings of the health sector in Uganda to deliver essential, quality prevention and treatment services.This marks the first time civil society organizations will join together to leverage Uganda’s general elections in order to prioritize the health needs and health rights of the Ugandan electorate.

“Access to prevention and treatment are literally life-and-death political issues that should be taking center stage during our 2016 elections,” said Joshua Wamboga, Executive Director of UNASO. “As voters we will not stand by and allow candidates and political parties to be silent about the most vital issue facing our country—our health and our health rights. 

Using this Health Manifesto, we are demanding that all candidates commit themselves to investing in sufficient medicines, health workers, and in the political required to stop the epidemic of preventable death and disease in our communities.”

The demands contained in the Manifestoinclude a demand to scale up per capita health financing from current levels (only USD 10.50) to the minimum recommended by WHO (USD 44) by 2021. Other priorities include increasing the remuneration of health workers and the budget for essential medicines as well as confronting high-level corruption that robs Ugandans of life saving health service delivery. 

“Lack of focus on our health needs by politicians is a disgrace, and we are here to say, ‘no more,’ “ said Rachel Nandelenga of the International Community of Women Living with HIV/AIDS Eastern Africa (ICWEA). “All candidates seeking elective positions should pronounce themselves on these 10 points. 

We commit to empowering citizens to choose leaders whose manifestos speak to these demands—we will hold them accountable from the national level right down to the grassroots.”

The coalition pointed out that the most repeated excuse—lack of funding—is not credible, since other priorities receive funding when considered politically beneficial. For example, Parliament received 2 billion shillings to debate during a recent 2-day special sitting; State House spends more than 600 million shillings each day. 

“As citizens of Uganda our fate is in our hands—every five years we have a special power to raise the bar on health service delivery by making our demands known and making use of our vote. We pledge to do that now,” said Lilian Mworeko, Executive Director of ICWEA.

“We are tired of politicians prioritizing infrastructure and telling us health must wait,” said William Kidega of PATH. “Health cannot wait—not when our public health facilities routinely report stock outs, pregnant women suffer and die of totally preventable causes, and drug-resistant TB is on the rise. 
Investing in health service delivery means investing in social infrastructure that is the only path to equitable economic development for ordinary Ugandans. This is non-negotiable.”

A recent poll conducted in August 2014 by Columbia University reported that healthcare is the most important issue for Ugandan voters. Across two large public opinion surveys conducted in 2011 and in 2014, voters said healthcare was the most important issue for Parliament to address of these data showed that health, according to voters, is far more important than joblessness, education, or crime (Source: Columbia University 2014).

Uganda’s general election campaigns start October 25. “Between now and the start of general elections we expect all candidates to adopt these 10 points in their manifestos,” said Dennis Odwe of AGHA Uganda.

 “We will meet with each party individually as well as Independent candidates to deliver this demand.” Civil society members intend to work in key constituencies to support grassroots health rights activists to demand accountability from political candidates, and engage on health crises that have too long gone ignored.

ENDS



Mpigi appeals to government for more CD4 Count Machines

People Living with HIV and AIDS in Mpigi have appealed to the government of Uganda to give them more CD4 count machines. This took place during a stakeholders meeting held at 

Mpigi district main hall to come up with solutions on clotting of CD4 test blood samples.
Fred Sewanyana, Secretary of Mpigi Network of AIDS Service Organisations, said that clients from 20 ART sites depend on one machine based at Mpigi health center IV.
Sadat Ssemand, Laboratory Technician explaining the need for more CD4 machines. Photo|Esther Namirimu

“The number of clients in ART care who need to get their CD4 tests before they can access antiretroviral therapy is overwhelming and many times blood samples clot before they are tested,” he added.

Sadat Ssemanda, Laboratory Technician at Mpigi HC IV, said that on average there are 100 blood samples to be tested for CD4 count but the machine can only work on 50 samples daily.

“The huge number of blood samples overwhelms the hub which results into blood clotting due to failure to run all the CD4 tests within the required 24 hours,” he added.

Ssemanda noted that the sometimes blood clots due to poor transportation, or lack of lack electricity at health facility and requested the government give the district more machines.

Mpigi Woman Member of Parliament

David Ssebisubi, Program Coordinator of Muduma Health Initiative Association, said that the whole of Mpigi district has only two machines; one at Mpigi health center IV and Nkozi hospital and one mini CD4 machine at Buwama health center III.

“At Buwama health center III, 40 clients take CD4 test but the mini machine can only do 9-15 tests per day. All remaining samples are transferred to Mpigi health center,” he added.

Ssebisubi said that if more machines are given to the district more people will get their CD4 counted and get eligible for ART.

Siana Nakazibwe, Finance Manager of the Uganda Network of AIDS Service Organizations, advised the participants to use the opportunity of the political period and start a strong campaign so that they can get the machines.
Ms. Siana Nazibwe Finance Manger of UNASO together with Ms. Cathy Nanyanzi(purple t-shirt) advised people of Mpigi to utilize the political period to get the machines from politicians. Photo|Esther Namirimu


“You can make those politicians pledge to contribute to buying the machines,” she advised.

According to the Health Management Information System report (July 2014-March 2015) the number of clients on ART care in Mpigi increased from 7051 to 7777.
Those initiated on ART increased by 1514 from 6063. Out of those active on ART only 3467 were tested for CD4.


The report also indicates that HIV prevalence rate of Mpigi is at 8% way above the national rate of 7.3%; with people living in Buwama, Nkozi, Kammengo and Mpigi town council being at a high risk of getting HIV because most people are risk like fisher folks and trucker drivers live in these areas. 


BY Esther Namirimu|Communications Officer of UNASO.