Uganda’s Preparedness For Equitable Access To Covid-19 Medical Products
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Date
2021
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HEPS-Uganda
Abstract
The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes and provides global guidance for the equitable deployment of COVID-19 medical products, including diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics(DVT) and personal protective equipment (PPE). At the national level, Ministry of Health guidelines list the recommended DVT and PPE for prevention,
diagnosis and management of COVID-19 in Uganda. Unfortunately, Uganda has faced a chronic shortage DVT and PPE as the country battles a virulent second wave of infections. Hospitals have reported shortages of gloves, face masks, face shields, aprons, medical oxygen, among other. National stocks of laboratory items and PPE for health workers have all been low the target of a minimum of two months’ supply. The country has been unable to secure sufficient quantities of vaccines, including through the collaborations that have been established at the global and regional levels to facilitate access to COVID-19 vaccines. COVAX has been unreliable due to vaccine panic buying and hoarding by wealthy countries of the Global North. This has been exacerbated by lack of leadership of the response on the part of Government of Uganda; limited cold chain capacity, extravagance and inefficiency in procurement; scanty service sites; inadequate human resources and skills,limited involvement of the private sector; and lack of awareness and negative attitudes. GOU and development partners need to invest more in the response, particularly in the health system’s capacities, including laboratories, human resources, intensive care units, oxygen production, vaccine cold chain, and diagnostics, medicines and supplies.
Ministry of Health should ensure the meaningful participation and engagement of communities, including vulnerable populations, the private sector and civil society groups, and decentralize some services to general hospitals to improve access. All vaccines currently in use across the globe should be granted emergency use approval to broaden options; efficiency and integrity in procurement should be enhanced; local research and development should be encouraged; and the private sector should be supported to provide affordable diagnosis, vaccination and treatment, including DVT and PPE.