Uganda is the most important refugee-hosting nation in Africa and the fifth largest on this planet. Over the a long time, Uganda has hosted refugees from international locations together with South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Somalia, Sudan, Burundi, and Rwanda. As of 31st August 2024, there have been 1,7400 000 refugees in Uganda primarily located inside refugee settlements in northern and southwestern Uganda and Kampala Metropolis.
Kampala, Geneva, Brazzaville, 15th October 2024
A brand new report on “Refugee and Migrant Well being System Overview: Challenges and Alternatives for Lengthy-term Well being System Strengthening in Uganda” requires a holistic strategy to fortifying Uganda’s well being system. The report underscores the significance of enhancing well being employee capacities, bettering entry to important medical assets, and fostering stronger stakeholders’ coordination. Collectively, these efforts intention to create a extra resilient and inclusive well being system that serves refugees, migrants, and host communities, whereas laying the inspiration for long-term sustainability.
The report is a results of collaborative efforts between the Uganda’s Ministry of Well being (MoH) and the World Well being Group (WHO), in partnership with the United Nations Excessive Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the Worldwide Group for Migration (IOM).
The report launch was officiated by the Ugandan Minister of Well being, Dr Jane Ruth Aceng along with the WHO Director of Well being and Migration, Dr Santino Severoni, the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Moeti Matsidiso and the UNHCR Nation Consultant in Uganda, Mr Matthew Crentsil.
The hybrid occasion which occurred in Kampala and on-line introduced collectively key gamers from the Ugandan authorities, United Nations Companies, donors, and different companions to debate the report’s findings. The occasion additionally highlighted the collaborative efforts of UN businesses to enhance the supply of well being companies for refugees, migrants, and host communities in Uganda, to catalyze additional motion and useful resource mobilization.
Whereas internet hosting the launch occasion, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng defined that “to make sure that Uganda has a powerful well being system capable of meet the necessity of its whole inhabitants, it’s essential to additional enhance current insurance policies and methods that grant migrants equitable entry to well being companies”.
In March 2024, WHO, along with the MoH and UNHCR performed a joint evaluate mission to offer a complete overview of the well being system’s response to refugees. The intention was to know service supply challenges and determine alternatives to additional help Uganda in strengthening well being system capability and making certain continued entry to well being companies for refugees, migrants and host communities.
Key findings from the report point out that Uganda’s authorities helps refugees by insurance policies selling freedom of motion, integration, and entry to social companies, employment and land. Refugees and asylum seekers additionally obtain a complete well being package deal together with emergency care, psychological first assist and steady entry to major well being care companies as soon as settled.
Though the report recommended the combination of individuals compelled to flee into nationwide companies, key challenges recognized embody recurrent inventory out of important medicines and provides, cultural and language boundaries amongst refugees and the healthcare staff, and restricted assets to recruit and handle the wanted well being workforce in well being amenities.
The report highlights key steps to enhance Uganda’s healthcare system by integrating refugees and addressing the precise wants of each migrants and host communities. WHO’s Director of Well being and Migration, Dr. Santino Severoni, acknowledged, “Uganda’s management in integrating refugees and migrants into the well being system is a mannequin of solidarity in motion, making certain entry to important well being companies for all”.
For the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Moeti Matshidiso, “international locations ought to use the potential of migrants and refugees to contribute to the duty power of service supply, utilizing their competences and expertise.”
Additional concerns from the report embody Figuring out and implementing new funding methods and making a complete medical health insurance system; Incorporating conventional healers into well being methods and strengthening intersectoral collaboration with different ministries to handle broader well being determinants, amongst others.
Efforts to strengthen the well being system and act on the mapped motion gadgets are already underway. In March 2024, UNHCR and WHO signed a Letter of Understanding to reinforce their collaboration in supporting Uganda’s authorities to enhance well being companies to migrants, refugees and host communities within the nation.
“This partnership goals to bolster the rights and well being of individuals compelled to flee whereas supporting Uganda’s efforts to attain the 2030 Sustainable Improvement Targets,” defined Mr. Matthew Crentsil, UNHCR Uganda Nation Consultant.
Uganda’s dedication to internet hosting thousands and thousands fleeing battle and hardship and efforts in integrating and defending refugees and migrants is exceptional. Uganda’s open-door coverage and Complete Refugee Response Framework are exemplary fashions for offering security, dignity and hope.
