Policy development, implementation and evaluation by the AIDS control program in Uganda: a review of the processes
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Date
2013
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Health Research Policy and Systems
Abstract
The AIDS Control Program (ACP) in Uganda has spearheaded the national health sector HIV response
for the last three decades. ACP has developed, revised and implemented various HIV prevention, care and
treatment policies in order to keep interventions relevant to the changing dynamics of the HIV epidemic. However,
the ACP team and partners remain concerned about the lengthy policy development processes. This study
documented the policy development and revision processes to identify strengths and weaknesses in order to
inform adjustments as Uganda embraces the move to ‘zero’ HIV infections.
Methods: Data was collected through a review of the relevant policy documents and key informant interviews
with the five program officers involved in the recently developed Safe Male Circumcision (SMC) policy and the
recently revised HIV Counseling and Testing (HCT) policy. Qualitative data was analyzed manually using predetermined
themes.
Results: Development and revision of the SMC and HCT policies followed similar processes that included a series of
meetings between senior management and a selected technical working group. However, the gaps included: i)
inadequate awareness of the existence of national policy development and management guidelines; ii) limited
engagement of the policy analysis unit in the policy development/revision processes; iii) inadequate tracking and
evaluation of the policies before revision or development of new related policies; iv) lack of specific protocols/
standard operating procedures (SOPs); and, v) limited indigenous funding for the entire policy development
processes which contributed to non-adherence to the anticipated timelines.
Description
Keywords
Health policy, Policy development, Policy processes, Policy revision
Citation
Tumwesigye, B. T., Nakanjako, D., Wanyenze, R., Akol, Z., & Sewankambo, N. (2013). Policy development, implementation and evaluation by the AIDS control program in Uganda: a review of the processes. Health Research Policy and Systems, 11(1), 1-6.