Health leaders call for stronger human resources, financing and Prevention

11 December 2025, 7:42 pm

Byamukama Alozious

During the launch of annual health sector perfomence report financial year 24-25, top health sector leaders warned that the country’s ambitions for Universal Health Coverage (UHC) will not be achieved without strengthening human resources, financing, and primary prevention. This came during the 31st Annual Health Joint Review Mission held under the theme “Advancing Universal Health Coverage through a resilient, efficient and integrated health system.”

Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health, Dr. Diana Atwine, emphasized that the success of the new development plan will depend on transforming the mindset and capacity of health workers, who 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 stagnating national progress.

She highlighted that NDP4 ended with several unmet targets, and the ministry is now focusing on increasing staffing levels from the current 34% to at least 50% over the next five years. The ministry also plans to improve staff welfare, build staff housing in hard-to-reach areas, and intensify mentorship, coaching, and mindset change across all health facilities.

Dr. Atwine also revealed that the Ministry of Health is considering re-tabling the National Health Insurance Bill in Parliament as part of alternative health financing options, noting that a large percentage of Ugandans still suffer catastrophic out-of-pocket expenditures and that insurance coverage remains extremely low.

Health Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, who was represented by Dr.Diana Atwine  reported that there is  significant progress in life expectancy, maternal and child health, immunization, antenatal care, and treatment for HIV and TB. She said achievements in digitization and infrastructure development had also strengthened the system. However, she warned that major bottlenecks persist, including severe human resource shortages only 34% of approved positions are 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, 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 emphasized the continued need to prioritize disease prevention and health promotion at community level.

According to Director General of Health Services Dr. Charles Olaro, maternal mortality dropped 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 from prematurity and sepsis. Disease-related mortality from malaria, AIDS and TB fell from 60 in 2017 to 28.1 in 2022/23, approaching the target for 2025.

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

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