Kampala, 26th November 2015: Uganda held a National symposium to discuss the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) for all Ugandans under the theme “Towards Universal Health Coverage in Uganda: Building on successes and ensuring Health Systems resilience” at Silver Springs Hotel in Kampala to discuss future of UHC in Uganda, the Health system capacity and the roles of different stakeholders towards achieving UHC.

Dr. Wondimagegnehu Alemu, the World Health Organization Country Representative, in his closing remarks said that UHC was not a sole responsibility of the health sector but a diverse one. He underscored the need to use a multi-sectorial approach in order to achieve UHC. He also highlighted the effects Ebola epidemic had on the health systems of Africa and called for a need of restructuring. He committed WHO’s support and also called on other partners to do the same. He concluded by congratulating the Makerere School of Public Health and the advisory board of Supporting Policy Engagement for evidence-based Decision (SPEED) for Universal Health Coverage for successfully organizing the symposium.

Dr. Aliti Thomas, the Assistant Commissioner who represented the Director General of Health Services of Ministry of Health said that the Health Sector Strategic Plan (HSSP) has been finalized and key interventions have been mapped to move the country towards (UHC). He also said that UHC had been developed by Uganda and as such should be achievable. He also thanked WHO, European Union (EU), Belgian Technical Cooperation (BTC) and other partners for the support provided stressing that their important contributions had contributed to the impeccable strides made towards achieving UHC.

Dr. Christopher Garimoi Orach, the Acting Dean, Makerere University School of Public Health (MUSPH)  also joined the ministry to thank the partners for their tremendous support. He said that the discussions in the three day symposium were very insightful, provocative and informative. He also reechoed Dr. Wondimagegnehu’s remarks on having a functioning health system, saying that a functioning and performing Health system was important in achieving UHC.

The goal of universal health coverage in Uganda is to ensure that all Ugandans obtain the health services they need without suffering financial hardship when paying for them. This requires: strong, efficient, well-run health system, a system for financing health services, access to essential medicines and technologies, and a sufficient capacity of well-trained, motivated health workers.

Several meetings have been organized in Uganda to discuss UHC, specifically those organized at national level. It has been realized that UHC requires policy actions in a complex and increasingly multi-sectorial arena, with legitimate role-bearers ranging from ministries of; Health, Finance, Education, Local Government, Labour, Gender and Social Development and among development partners, private sector and civil society organisations and media.

The closing ceremony of the  symposium on UHC was well attended by officials from  various government departments, officials of and Country Representative of WHO, officials from BTC, EU, MUSPH, various district health officials,  and the media.

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For more information, please contact:

Mwebembezi Edmond, Public Information Officer, Tel: +256 414 335569, Cell:+256 782 962674, Email: mwebembezie [at] who.int

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Below:

01. A panel discussion during the symposium 

02. WHO Country Representative Dr. Wondimagegnehu Alemu delivering his closing remarks 

03. Dr. Aliti Thomas delivers closing remarks on behalf of the Director General of Health Services