A comprehensive new report, " Refugee and migrant health system review: challenges and opportunities for long-term health system strengthening in Uganda ", officially launched on 15 October by Uganda's Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO), emphasizes the urgent need to reinforce Uganda's healthcare system to better support both refugee and migrant communities.
As Africa's largest refugee-hosting country, Uganda faces unique challenges in delivering inclusive healthcare to over 1.6 million refugees, hosted primarily in refugee settlements in northern and southwestern Uganda, and in Kampala City.
"To ensure that Uganda has a strong health system able to meet the need of its entire population, it is crucial to further improve existing policies and strategies that grant migrants equitable access to health services," said Uganda's Minister of Health Dr Jane Ruth Aceng.
The report is the result of an extensive review of Uganda's refugee and migrant health system conducted by WHO and Uganda's Ministry of Health, in partnership with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). It outlines several significant strategies to improve health services for displaced populations and host communities alike, and to enhance the capacity of Uganda's health system.
Key findings and recommendations include:
- Strengthening health worker capacities: Enhancing the training and skillsets of health professionals to meet the complex health needs of refugees and migrants.
- Expanding access to essential medical resources: Improving the availability of life-saving medicines, equipment and services across all regions hosting refugees.
- Boosting coordination among stakeholders: Fostering stronger partnerships and collaboration between government bodies, international organizations and local health institutions.
The report also highlights key steps to improve Uganda's healthcare system by integrating refugees and addressing the specific needs of both migrants and host communities.
Further considerations from the report encompass identifying and implementing new funding strategies, creating a comprehensive health insurance system, and strengthening intersectoral collaboration with other ministries to address broader health determinants, among others.
These combined efforts aim to build a more resilient and inclusive health system that effectively serves refugees, migrants and host communities, while laying the foundation for long-term sustainability.
"Uganda's leadership in integrating refugees and migrants into the health system is a model of solidarity in action, ensuring access to essential health services for all", said Dr Santino Severoni, WHO's Director of Health and Migration.
The report launch was officiated by Ugandan Minister of Health Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, alongside WHO Director of Health and Migration Dr Santino Severoni, WHO Regional Director for Africa Dr Moeti Matshidiso, the WHO Uganda Acting Representative Dr Charles Njuguna, the UNHCR Country Representative in Uganda Mr Matthew Crentsil and the IOM Uganda Chief of Mission Dr Sanusi Tejan Savage.
The hybrid event held in Kampala and online, brought together key stakeholders from the Ugandan government, United Nations (UN) agencies, donors and other partners to discuss the report's findings. It also emphasized the collaborative efforts of UN agencies to improve health service delivery for refugees, migrants and host communities in Uganda, with the aim of catalyzing further action and resource mobilization.
"Countries should use the potential of migrants and refugees to contribute to the task force of service delivery, using their competences and experience", said Dr Moeti Matshidiso, WHO Regional Director for Africa.
Health system strengthening efforts and the implementation of mapped action items are already underway. In February 2024, UNHCR and WHO signed a Letter of Understanding to enhance their collaboration in supporting the Ugandan government in improving health services for migrants, refugees and host communities, while IOM and WHO signed the Letter of Understanding on 15th October, 2024, which was the same day as the Uganda Health System Review Report launch.
"This partnership aims to reinforce the rights and health of people forced to flee their countries while supporting Uganda's efforts to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals", said Mr Matthew Crentsil, UNHCR Uganda Country Representative.
