A Critical Evaluation of the National Health System of Uganda

Abstract

This paper, presents a critical evaluation of Uganda’s health system with a justification using literal examples and illustrations based on key indicators of the selected relevant evaluative criteria. The aim of the paper is to present an assessment of the extent to which Uganda’s health system is effective in achieving its goals. Evaluating health systems is like measuring the social impact, which is difficult but necessary. Uganda’s Health System, like other systems, aims to achieve and sustain good health and well-being of its people. This is a formidable task that remains elusive but there are indications of progress in the positive direction. The Health System has been evolving over the last 3 to 4 decades to handle traditional (malaria), emerging and re-emerging (HIV-AID) as well as sporadic outbreaks (Zika, Ebola and Marburg) challenges that continue to escalate the disease burden and health situation in the country. Attainment of the broad purpose of a health system necessitates multi-stakeholder engagements in efforts to address the complexities in the system. Having many players working towards better health, good organization is paramount. The Uganda health Sector Strategic Plan is among other things, designed around a basic minimum health package, which targets cost effective interventions at the heaviest disease burdens. An important implementation problem of the Health Sector Strategic Plan (HSSP) is the chronic and substantial under funding of the health sector