Why it matters.

Prescribing Policy: The Magic Pill for Uganda's Health Growth and Service!

Policy and advocacy are critical in addressing Uganda's healthcare access disparities, particularly between urban and rural areas. With only 60% of rural populations having access to healthcare within a 5 km radius, compared to 91% in urban areas, strong policies and targeted advocacy can bridge this gap by directing resources to underserved areas. These efforts are also vital in improving maternal and child health, where Uganda's high maternal mortality rate of 336 deaths per 100,000 live births demands focused policy interventions and advocacy to enhance access to skilled birth attendants and emergency care.

Infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS and malaria continue to challenge Uganda's healthcare system, with an HIV prevalence rate of 5.4% and malaria as a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children under five. Policy and advocacy are crucial in sustaining and scaling up preventive measures and treatments. Additionally, Uganda's healthcare system suffers from severe underfunding, with only 6.2% of the national budget allocated to health, far below the 15% Abuja Declaration commitment. Advocacy is essential to lobbying for increased funding, which is necessary for improving healthcare infrastructure, training, and workforce capacity.

Meanwhile,

Health equity remains a significant concern, with vulnerable populations facing disproportionate health challenges. Advocacy is key to ensuring that policies address social determinants of health like poverty, education, and gender inequality. With emerging health challenges such as non-communicable diseases now accounting for 33% of Uganda's disease burden, policy and advocacy are more important than ever to ensure a comprehensive and equitable healthcare system that responds effectively to both existing and new health threats.

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Policy & Advocacy Policy

The purpose of this Policy and Advocacy Policy is to guide Real Health Uganda (RHU) in its efforts to influence health policies, advocate for equitable healthcare access, and promote health and wellness at local, national, and international levels.

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