Decentralization and Health Services: Challenge for Public Confidence

Abstract

Just like education, health is also important for mitigating poverty in Uganda. Health can be broadly defined as a state of physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease. The poor certainly acknowledge that poor health is one of the major causes and consequences of poverty. Thus, maintaining good health is one of the essential conditions for people to use their abilities fully.

Our government dispensary does not have most of the popularly needed drugs. But they still charge us the consultation fee of Shs 500. Thus, most of the people prefer to go to private clinics, although their charges are more expensive. Even if people go to the government medical unit, they often go to other clinics to get drugs.

A woman made a statement during a focus group discussion, Mukono, 19 August 1999

A preliminary version of this chapter appeared in Uganda Health Bulletin, Vol. 7, No. 1, 2001.