UGANDA
The government of Uganda reports that beginning with the 2014/2015 fiscal year, it has increased its allocation for family planning supplies to US$6.9 million. It has also successfully mobilized an additional US$5 million in donor financing from development partners, primarily UNFPA, USAID and DFID. The National Population Council bill was signed into law in June 2014 and will create a new government body to oversee the country’s population, reproductive health and family planning policies. The government is currently in negotiations to develop a voucher program as a form of demand-side financing for family planning and safe motherhood services among the poor. A national health insurance bill is under consideration by the Cabinet.
The Ministry of Health has increased its staffing levels, and mentoring of health workers to offer reproductive health services is ongoing. Village health teams are being mobilized to provide family planning in rural areas, including injectable contraceptives. Youth-friendly services have been scaled up to 50% of the government’s Level IV Health Centres and 100% of district hospitals. The government also reports that, with the assistance of its development partners, support has been provided for midwife training, recruitment, symposia and skills lab equipment.
An alternative commodity distribution channel is in place for the private sector through the Uganda Health Marketing Group. The National Drug Authority has been equipped with an additional testing machine to help reduce delays in the post-shipment release of family planning supplies.
Uganda is implementing the Reproductive Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health Sharpened Plan for Uganda, with the goal of improving progress toward MDGs 4 and 5. The plan was launched in November 2013.
Source: Uganda Ministry of Health, via FP2020 self-report
