By Sadique Bamwita
ENTEBBE
The Minister for Health, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero, on March 12, 2024, poked holes into the National health care quality improvement policy saying a lot is required to be done in many areas if government is to offer quality health services to its people.
The Minister said for government to realize it’s agenda of pushing for improved National health care quality improvement policy, there is need to address areas of governance, financing and medical package among other things.
Addressing stakeholders in the health sector at the 10th National Health Care Quality Improvement Review meeting held in Entebbe, Minister Dr. Ruth Aceng noted that in order to achieve the agenda of National health care quality improvement, there is need for more innovations to strengthen our health systems for delivery of health Care in the current resource limited setting.
“We have made a lot of progress but a lot has to be done in many areas if we are to render quality health services to the general public. Many African countries have unfinished business regarding Millenimium Development Goals. There is need to first tackle the issue of funding to be able to improve our health care system in the country.
“We need more innovations to strengthen our health care systems. We need to look for our domestic resources to end our challenges and this calls for innovation,” she said.
“We need to be realistic in what we are doing. There is a lot of wastage in this country yet we need quality health Care services. We are losing maternal life because we are not concentrating on job. As we think of quality and innovation lets ensure the products reach the targeted people. A lot has been done to ensure we instill quality health Care services.
Minister Jane Ruth Aceng further noted that the recent enhancement of salaries for medical personnel has not translated into better and quality services.
The Director health services in charge of programs and health regulations at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Joseph Okware, said despite pushing for innovation to achieve national health care quality improvement, the economic landscape has not been friendly in the last few years due to lack of funds.
The country representative of USAID and US government, Dr. Jesca Healey, said Uganda’s health sector is credibly impressive and that the USA government is committed to promoting health systems in the country.
“Millions of people who were previously denied HIV treatment are now receiving it. A lot is required to design health systems at the district and national level. The USA government is committed to be part of the innovation health care but the legislation on homosexuality is so concerning to us,” said Dr. Jessica.
The Emergency preparedness officer at the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Elizabeth Juma, noted that the push for National health care quality improvement agenda is timely and that if properly implemented it would play a key role towards achieving universal health coverage.
“Uganda’s health coverage has improved from 22% -40% in just a year. So meeting together as stakeholders in the health sector is a good platform for us to learn more. Innovative action to achieving improved health care should aim at building resilient health care systems. This requires government and societal approach to come together. Learning from previous emergencies give us a learning opportunity,” said Dr. Elizabeth.
Prof. Christopher Olach, an expert in Community health and a lecturer at Makerere University, urged government to improve diagnosis for Tuberculosis (TB) on top of building capacities of regional referral hospitals and also to strengthen diagnosis and treatment of cancer disease.
In related news, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, jointly launched the Quality of Care implementation Guide for Reproductive maternal, New born, Child, Adolescent Health and Nutrition services and the Harmonized Health Facility report respectively.
