Currently Uganda has close to 3000 covid19 cases, and 30 deaths, with more cases expected to rise as days pass on. Unfortunately Uganda does not have the financial and health resources to effectively fight or contain this pandemic, and without adequate resources the lives and livelihoods of millions of Ugandans are left hanging in the balance.
As governments world over were busy soliciting for funds towards their health institutions including free mass #COVID19 testing for all their citizens in the first wake of the pandemic, our government leaders were not fairly treating the existing health crisis with the urgency it deserved
The government in the beginning of Covid19 preparedness was instead lobbying and using much of its finances to purchase high value vehicles which in real sense have not made any impact on the fight against #COVID19 pandemic. For decades in leadership, it’s not true that our country doesn’t have basic necessity ”vehicles” to run state agencies in all districts or the currently formed cities.
From where I seat, I see hundreds of state officials with heavy duty cars Idling at their offices or homes, some are used as escort cars and some are being used to ferry food stuffs and people more especially during this election period, one wonders why all this resources can’t be put into proper use.
Maybe in simple words, I should talk about Honesty and Leadership next time but I totally blame those who are close to our president, some of this people don’t want to see our country move forward, our president” Yoweri Kaguta Museveni” is a Father Figure and he loves the country dearly.
Anyway, I am not a politician and I don’t subscribe to any
political party, I am only passionate about my country but one thing remains clear;
solving Uganda’s health problems takes more than statements
of good intention like empty promises of free masks, food and financial relief
which is often promised on media coverage’s.
Infact, many diseases including #COVID19 can be addressed with minimal resources if they are used strategically. But it’s unfortunate that it takes something like COVID-19 to convince us, hopefully once and for all, that as human beings, we can never be independent of each other, and our health, well-being and prosperity is very much in each other’s hands.
The curse of this coronavirus becomes a blessing for those who would use this opportunity to be courageous. COVID-19 once again shows the importance of our collective thinking and acting, of the importance of paying taxes and a fair tax system, of good governments, of public funding and of science and research.
To my limited and basic understanding of health, there are obviously distinct steps we can use to solve Uganda’s persistent health problems:
· A third of Uganda’s population comprises persons aged 10-24 years. These youth are growing up in a context marked by pervasive poverty, limited educational opportunities, high HIV/AIDS prevalence, widespread conflict, and weak social controls.
For Uganda to take advantage of the dividends of a growing youthful population, the county must raise its capacity to generate rigorous scientific evidence to inform policies and programs designed to improve the health and wellbeing of her young people.
This means that the government should not only encourage and fund research on young people’s health and development but also actively use evidence generated to inform policies and programs geared towards the youth.
· To address the rising burden of diseases, improve health systems, and attain better health, the country needs strong public health research capacity. Uganda has a strong population and public health research capacity with unlimited capacity to identify and prioritize its health needs and, hence, is able to develop and implement effective interventions to promote well-being.
· Ensure healthy lives and promote the well-being for all at all ages is essential to sustainable development. Significant strides have been made in increasing life expectancy and reducing some of the common killers associated with child and maternal mortality.
· Major progress has been made on increasing access to clean water and sanitation, reducing malaria, tuberculosis, polio and the spread of HIV/AIDS. However, many more efforts are needed to fully eradicate a wide range of diseases and address many different persistent and emerging health issues.
· The private sector can play a significant role in spearheading innovations across Uganda. In addition to providing capital investment, businesses can share strategic logistics and marketing know-how, source from local distributors and assess the scalability of projects –all key measures in ensuring lasting social and economic value. The private sector can also drive other stakeholders to advocate for sound policies, tailored solutions, improved infrastructure and relevant research.
· Instilling a culture of innovation is a promising way to propel Ugandans to eradicate diseases and improve health. All health organizations should pioneer solutions customized to the unique context and culture of communities across Uganda.
· More support is needed, particularly from the government to encourage future entrepreneurs to seek to invent new solutions with the potential to create a lasting impact on the health of hard to reach communities. The government can also start by excusing some of our incompetent state officials from duty who are merely opportunists; we needed to do this like yesterday if we are serious about our current health crisis and also unknown future calamities.
Furthermore, health problems in Uganda cannot be considered in isolation, foreign technical and financial assistance is required. To be effective, aid can find ways to help people directly and bypass the government “IF” they are CORRUPT and INCAPABLE.
The emphasis should then be on channeling aid through non-governmental and UN organizations such as #WHO, #UNICEF and #UNFPA with a proven record of effectiveness, and long-standing experience in countries world over.
COVID-19 gives us an opportunity to break away from business as usual, As the crisis worsens, we’re going to see historically marginalized and vulnerable communities, the sudden collapse of our economy will exacerbate the historic lack of protections for housing, healthcare, and basic needs that unequally impact poor people, as we look to provide support in this crisis, and as we look to build back in the future, we must center investments and strategies that address these inequities head on.
However, this will happen only if the voices of the poor, scientists and healthcare professionals are heard. Already hunger and anger is building in major Uganda cities with little or no social safety net to protect the poor from the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Millions of poor Ugandans are also bearing the brunt of a nationwide lockdowns part of efforts to contain the novel coronavirus outbreak yet the choice before them is often to stay home and fail to provide the evening meal for their family, or to brave it out into the city and try and fend for their family. Though some lockdown policies have so far been eased, the combination of widespread poverty and food price spikes due to the epidemic could prove deadly if our government doesn’t act quickly.
I know that improving health systems isn’t easy but strong political leadership, careful monitoring and strong institutions are needed to see successful implementation of health reforms, It is important at this juncture for the government to commit to pull their resources together and partner to ensure that the most basic needs of people, especially the vulnerable, are cared for.
The realization that anyone can be infected with the virus that causes #COVID19 is a reminder of the shared vulnerability of humans. This day of time is a call to all of us to realize that we all depend on each other on this small planet and, whether it is global heating, inequality, or environmental degradation, we shall either swim or sink together.
Once the crisis is over, we will hopefully awaken into a new world, one where we can learn the far-reaching, long-term lessons. One where we can see the dangers that we should have recognized a long time ago. One where we can understand the implications of these dangers for the future of government policies.
Finally, the COVID-19 pandemic is a turning point that should restore our faith in humanity. As the possibility of treatments and vaccines develop, plans need to be in place to continuously deliver assistance to the vulnerable communities in Uganda first, not last.
Lastly, if the government wants to bring #HOPE to a country ravaged by poverty and disease; Effective Health Action is urgently required. It can be done. I pray that God continues to Bless and Protect My Country Uganda including our able Leader, His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni
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