Coordinated by DSW, members of the Family Planning Advocacy
Group (FPAG), Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group (CSBAG), Maternal Child and
Adolescent Health Coalition held a press conference at Hotel African Kampala,
Uganda on the health sector projected financing for the coming year.
“A
Well financed and vibrate health system; an absolute governments
responsibility”. Was the theme for the conference organized to provoke
the media fraternity to amplify advocacy towards the health sector budget that
has been projected to decline
While presenting the paper,
CSOs expressed their views and reservations regarding the FY 2017/18 Budget that
is projected to decline by 30% compared to that of last year
In a joint statement they
noted that as the government nears the 2020 target to transform into middle
income country, the country must make huge investment in keeping the population
healthy and productive, which according to the budget government is less
concerned
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| Panelist during the media Briefing |
They also noted with concern the
continued poor human resources for the health sector that have hindered
provisions of quality health services to the citizens.
They therefore urged the media
practioners to amplify their advocacy towards what they termed as “unthinkable”
for the government to reduce the health sector budget by such a huge
percentage.
“We call upon you to join us and
raise our voices such that tax payer’s money is put to best use”. Remarked
Diana Tibesigwa.
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| Diana Tibesigwa, DSW stresses a point |
CSOs
urged the media to raise their in ensure that government develops a plan that is responsive
to the needs of the respective districts, for attracting recruiting, motivating
and retaing health workers .
Urging that the ministry of health
should prioritize the 50bn required for the recruitment of health workers.
They also called upon government
to align the National Budget to the National Development Plan 11 and resource
projections. “As a country we should desist from being known to have good laws
and policies but very poor implementation” Emphasized the Dombo the chief of
Part Path Uganda.
They further called for the
decentralization of PHC funds for better services to ordinary citizens. “We
have caution ministry of health against implementing PHC development budget on
behalf of local governments as has been the norm because it creates more
hitches in service delivery”. Noted Diana Tibesigwa.
The reiterated their commitment to
provide alternative budget proposals to government and to parliament, in
particular
Over 40 National and local media
houses were represented and covered the conference. These included the print,
social and broadcast media and other representatives of likeminded
organisations witnessed the function.
The conference took
place at Hotel African, Kampala Uganda, mobilized and coordinated by DSW.
