Medics tip government on health insurance scheme
Dr Ekwaro Obuku, the president of the Uganda Medical Association (UMA). FILE PHOTO
Kampala. The health insurance scheme mooted by Cabinet will only work if the government increases expenditure on health, medical workers have said.
Addressing journalists on Friday, Dr Ekwaro Obuku, the president of the Uganda Medical Association (UMA), said contributions from citizens can only help improve the health service sector if the government increases expenditure on equipment and other aspects, especially in under-served areas.
“A health insurance scheme should not reduce government’s budgetary commitment. We have rarely reached 15 per cent [health financing in the budget], as recommended by the Abuja Declaration. The quality of care accessibility should be similar across all regions. Increase access to care,” Dr Obuku said.
“It’s only when these systems are working that the insurance system can now function very well,” he added.
In 2017, doctors staged a strike following government’s failure to deliver on its promise to ensure sufficient supply of drugs and reagents in government health facilities, among other reasons.
Doctors have tasked government to avail the citizens good healthcare, social security in the taxes they pay.
The Bill
According to the Bill, every employee above 18 years is supposed to contribute four per cent of their monthly salary towards the scheme, while the employer will contribute one per cent, making five per cent.
Dr Obuku asked government to increase the health sector budget so as to cater for the unemployed youth, children and the elderly in the insurance scheme.
Dr Sarah Byakika, the commissioner for planning, financing and policy at Ministry of Health, said the scheme will go a long way in providing universal healthcare.
Mr Emmanuel Ainebyoona, the public relations officer of the Ministry of Health, said, they are enhancing health services in all region starting with the upgrade of health centre IIs to IIIs.
Data from the Ministry of Health indicates that the current total annual health expenditure stands at Shs7.5 trillion. Of this 15 per cent is from government funding, 42 per cent from donors, 41 per cent from individuals (out of pocket) when they fall sick and only two per cent from pre-payment mechanisms.
