This after 21 years of "fundamental change"?! I see lots of danger after the
NRA/M. Trust me. Lots and lots of danger!
Ocii
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Ugandans can't afford health care
Hussein Bogere
KAMPALA
A recent survey done by the US-based Kaiser Family Foundation shows that 76
per cent of Ugandans were unable to afford health care in the year ending 2007.
It is the highest percentage of all countries surveyed from Africa, Latin
America, Asia, Europe and North America. Access to health care, according to
the survey, is "making sure people can get health care services when they need
them".
The same survey shows that 66 per cent were unable to access food while 71 per
cent were unable to access clothing.
A total of 1,122 adult Ugandans were interviewed for the survey. It is the
first time such a survey has been done, although previous surveys have been
done on different subjects.
Respondents were asked whether in the past year there were times when they did
not have enough money to pay for health medical care that their families
needed. This is a response that surprised Dr Sam Zaramba, the Director General
of Health Services in the Ministry of Health.
"It defeats my understanding because we provide free basic treatment for
ailments that majority of Ugandans suffer from," he said.
In terms of access, Dr Zaramba said it is government policy to have a health
facility, be it a health centre I, II, III or IV, within five kilometres of
residents.
He said over 75 per cent of the Ugandan population has access to a health
facility.
"Our five year strategic plan is to be 100 per cent by 2009," Dr Zaramba said.
In Africa, problems in paying for basic needs were particularly acute in Uganda
(82 per cent) and Kenya (73 per cent), the survey reports.
According to Mr Zie Gariyo of Uganda Debt Network, the finding comes as no
surprise.
"It rhymes with the national statistics. It indicates that the poverty
situation in Uganda is dire. Actually it is a modest estimation," he said.
The survey further reveals that 65 per cent of Ugandans say HIV/Aids is a
bigger problem now than it was five years ago compared to Kenya's 49 per cent.
However, 74 per cent say Uganda is making progress on HIV prevention, and 73
per cent say Uganda is making progress on HIV treatment.
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