World Health Day is celebrated every 7th April. This year’s theme is “My Health, My Right”. Through this theme, Uganda recognizes that the achievement of Universal Health Coverage requires that people have access to affordable, equitable, good quality, and sustainable health care.

This theme is therefore timely as Uganda continues to implement various interventions to meet the needs of its population based on our commitment to ensuring that our people have access to quality healthcare without facing financial hardship by 2030.

We are grateful for the continued support that the World Health Organization (WHO) and various partners, rendered to the health sector. Working hand in hand with our development and implementing partners, we have strengthened research on vaccine development such as the Ebola vaccines.

Resilience in the health sector has been reinforced through our effective preparedness and response to recent public health emergencies like Ebola and COVID-19.

We have adopted the Primary Health Care approach to ensure that our health system does not only focus on treatment but also prevents illnesses and promotes good health. We continue to invest in a stronger health workforce and health institutions to ensure a better caliber of health workers responding to the country’s health needs.

According to the recent Uganda Demographic Health Survey (UDHS 2022), progressive outcomes and targets were achieved for Maternal and Child Health. Uganda also adopted the Policy of Test and Treat for every newly diagnosed HIV-positive case, giving them access to immediate Antiretroviral Therapy.

The achievements and progress registered in the health sector are a result of the commitment of all health workers in the public and private sectors. I, therefore, commend our health workers for their resilience and ethical conduct amidst all the challenges and their strong commitment and support.

Ensuring that all Ugandans fully enjoy their right to health requires collaborative efforts from all sectors, partners, and communities under the one health approach. It is my appeal that we all channel our energies towards this to achieve universal health coverage a reality in Uganda.

Thank you!

By Hon. Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero, The Minister of Health in Uganda.