Health leaders call for stronger human resources, financing, and prevention

11 December 2025, 7:42 pm

By Byamukama Alozious

During the launch of the Annual Health Sector Performance Report for the 2024/25 financial year, top health sector leaders warned that Uganda’s ambitions for Universal Health Coverage (UHC) will not be achieved without strengthening human resources, health financing, and primary prevention. This was highlighted during the 31st Annual Health Joint Review Mission, held under the theme “Advancing Universal Health Coverage through a resilient, efficient and integrated health system.”

The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health, Dr Diana Atwine, emphasised that the success of the new development plan will depend on transforming the mindset and capacity of health workers, whom she described as the country’s “biggest asset.” She questioned how Uganda can “open people’s hearts” and build a legacy within the health workforce that understands its role in either advancing or hindering national progress.

She noted that NDP4 concluded with several unmet targets, and the ministry is now focusing on increasing staffing levels from the current 34 per cent to at least 50 per cent over the next five years. Plans are also underway to improve staff welfare, construct staff housing in hard-to-reach areas, and strengthen mentorship, coaching and mindset change initiatives across all health facilities.

Dr Atwine further revealed that the Ministry of Health is considering re-tabling the National Health Insurance Bill in Parliament as part of efforts to explore alternative health financing options. She stressed that a large proportion of Ugandans still face catastrophic out-of-pocket health expenditures, while insurance coverage remains extremely low.

Health Minister Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, represented by Dr Atwine, reported significant improvements in life expectancy, maternal and child health, immunisation, antenatal care, and treatment for HIV and TB. She added that investments in digitisation and infrastructure development have further strengthened the health system. However, she cautioned that major bottlenecks persist, including severe human resource shortages—only 34 per cent of approved positions are currently filled—inadequate health financing, inequitable service delivery, operational gaps and weak multisectoral collaboration.

“This joint review will tell us how far we have gone, what remains undone, and what must be fast-tracked,” Dr Aceng said. “We must end the epidemics of malaria, TB and HIV; reduce mortality from non-communicable diseases; and eliminate avoidable maternal and newborn deaths. The demand for quality health care continues to grow despite the changing financing landscape.”

She welcomed progress in scaling up Community Health Extension Workers and underscored the continued need to prioritise disease prevention and health promotion at community level.

According to the Director-General of Health Services, Dr Charles Olaro, maternal mortality decreased to 183 deaths per 100,000 live births, surpassing the target of 211 in 2023. However, neonatal mortality remains high at 27 per 1,000 live births against a target of 19, largely due to complications arising from prematurity and sepsis. Disease-related mortality from malaria, AIDS and TB dropped from 60 in 2017 to 28.1 in 2022/23, approaching the 2025 target.

Experts also underscored the urgent need for stronger primary prevention. Prof Rhoda Wanyenze of the Makerere University School of Public Health warned that exposure to herbicides in food production, pollution in parts of Kampala, and widespread passive smoking are fuelling rising non-communicable diseases. “There are areas in Kampala where you need to put on a mask,” she said, urging the country to reconsider what it consumes and how policies are enforced.

The review further highlighted structural challenges. Uganda’s budget allocation to health remains below the 15 per cent Abuja Declaration target, with donor partners contributing 80 per cent of total health expenditure. Health insurance coverage remains extremely low, with only 1 per cent of Ugandans insured by 2023. Workforce shortages also persist, with 63 per cent of public health posts vacant.