Clerics ask Museveni to sign health insurance Bill

Religious leaders under Faith for Family Health Initiative (3FHi) have appealed to President Yoweri Museveni to assent to the National Health Insurance Bill, which was passed by Parliament recently. 

Religious leaders under Faith for Family Health Initiative (3FHi) have appealed to President Yoweri Museveni to assent to the National Health Insurance Bill, which was passed by Parliament recently. The religious leaders expressed concern that much as the Government strives to provide free healthcare services in public health facilities, the reality on the ground is different. “Since you can never be certain about when illness may strike, failure to get medical care at the time of need due to lack of cash could result in serious complications or loss of life,” - Rev. Constantine Mbonabingi (General Secretary-Uganda Joint Christian CouncilMbonabingi They said they learnt that a big proportion of the health expenditures from households are paying cash to healthcare providers when they seek health care. Presenting the position of inter-faith religious leaders on the Bill, the Rev. Constantine Mbonabingi who is the General Secretary of Uganda Joint Christian Council, said the country needs a health financing system that is fair, where resources are pooled in one basket and that people do not have to pay cash to access health care services. This was during a half-day consultative meeting organised by 3FHi in partnership with Population and Development Africa Regional office in Lweza. 3FHi is a faith-based organisation that exists to strengthen inter-faith collaboration for better family health and well-being. The religious leaders noted that out-of-pocket expenditure ranges from 38%-42% of the total expenditure on health, which pushes people into poverty. A mandatory percentage contribution by all salaried, formal employees will be deducted from their total monthly salary. Also self-employed and informal sector workers will contribute a fixed lump sum payable annually if the Bill is passed into a law. Uganda is the only East African country without a semblance of a national health insurance scheme. Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania have found a way of creating a scheme for its citizens to access health care. If the Bill is approved, there will be timely use of services since people will not need cash to be treated. The religious leaders are also concerned that without proper and timely treatment, even simple preventable illnesses could lead to health complications.  The Bishop of the Diocese of Northwest Ankole and also the Board member of 3FHi, Amos Magezi, noted: “I have watched people on TV and also heard them on local radios asking for money so that they go for medication, and I have seen people trying to help them to get such kind of medication. If we have health Insurance in place all those concerns will be taken care of.” Pastor Samuel Bamweyano said the passing of the health insurance Bill was long overdue because it provides for the safety for the health of Ugandans. The religious leaders noted that there can never be consensus, especially when it involves issues that affect the majority and disadvantaged population.