Health Financing Reforms in Uganda: Dispelling the Fears and Misconceptions Related to Introduction of a National Health Insurance Scheme; Comment on “Health Coverage and Financial Protection in Uganda: A Political Economy Perspective”

Document Type : Commentary

Authors

1 School of Medicine, Uganda Christian University, Mukono, Uganda

2 School of Public Health, Gudie University Project, Kampala, Uganda

3 Institution of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

4 Faculty of Social Sciences, Ndejje University, Kampala, Uganda

5 College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda

Abstract

Uganda introduced health financing reforms that entailed abolition of user fees, and in due process planned to introduce a National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). This paper accentuates a contextual and political-economic analysis that dispels the fears and misconceptions related to introduction of the insurance scheme. The Grindle and Thomas model is used to depict how various factors affect decision making by policy elites concerning a particular policy at a particular time. Drawing lessons from the sub-Sahara region and in particular, Ghana and Rwanda’s experience, it is clear that the political will of the executive led by the president in many countries is a key determinant in bringing about health reforms. In this paper, we provide insights based on contextual and political-economic analysis to countries in similar setting that are interested in setting up NHISs.

Keywords

References

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History

  • Receive Date: 23 April 2022
  • Revise Date: 09 June 2022
  • Accept Date: 11 June 2022
  • First Publish Date: 12 June 2022

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