Parliament Urged To Reintroduce National Health Insurance – MP Didi
By Admin
Obongi Constituency Member of Parliament also a member of the Parliament’s Committee on Health, Dr.George Didi Bhoka has called for the reintroduction of the National Health Insurance Scheme Bill to ensure there are other alternatives of financing the sector following a budget shortfall of Shs3.36 trillion.
According to Dr. George over the five last years, there has been a decline in the allocation of resources for the health sector, yet the Abuja declaration requires all member Nations to inject 15% of their annual budget.
Background
When African Union member states met in Abuja, Nigeria, in April 2001, they committed to allocating 15% of their government budgets to health.
He says in the financial year 2022-2023 budget, only Shs 2.24 trillion of the budget has been allocated out of UGX 43 trillion overall National Budget, which is insufficient to meet the top health sector needs like, running of the 7 National Referral Hospitals, 16 Regional Hospitals, and District Hospitals among others.
“Right now the ministry of health has a Budget shortfall of about Shs6.3 Trillion, what is worse is that. If you look at the total budget for the health sector 31% is financed by individuals out of the pocket, another 41% from donors, the government of Uganda contributes about 57% of the budget,” Dr. Bhoka said.
He says in order to sustain the health sector there is a need to start exploring sustainable domestic financing options apart from resources that are located from the consolidated fund.
“One of the sustainable domestic financing options that can easily take us towards what we call universal health coverage is the National Health Insurance scheme for Ugandans, which will ensure Ugandans have access to health insurance,”.Dr.Didi explained.
The Bill was passed by the 10th parliament but President Museveni returned back to parliament without assenting to it.
Dr. Didi wants (NHIS) Bill, which seeks to provide universal healthcare to all Ugandans be reconsidered by parliament.
He says it is now the responsibility of Parliament to ensure that the Bill is reintroduced to ensure other alternatives of funding to cater for the Health Sector Programs.
