How to Achieve Universal Health Coverage: A Case Study of Uganda Using the Political Process Model; Comment on “Health Coverage and Financial Protection in Uganda: A Political Economy Perspective”

Document Type : Commentary

Authors

1 Independent Researcher, London, UK

2 Research Unit for General Medicine and Primary Health Care, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Science, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece

3 Dondena Centre for Research on Social and Population Dynamics, Milan, Italy

4 Cergas Centre for Research on Health and Social Care Management, Milan, Italy

5 Department of Social & Political Sciences, Bocconi University, Milan, Italy

Abstract

How can resource-deprived countries accelerate progress towards universal health coverage (UHC)? Here we extend the analysis of Nanini and colleagues to investigate a case-study of Uganda, where despite high-level commitments, health system priority and funding has shrunk over the past two decades. We draw on the Stuckler-McKee adapted Political Process model to evaluate three forces for effecting change: reframing the debate; acting on political windows of opportunity; and mobilising resources. Our analysis proposes a series of pragmatic steps from academics, nongovernmental organisations, and government officials that can help neutralise the forces that oppose UHC and overcome fragmentation of the pro-UHC movement.

Keywords


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