In a bold move to combat the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), health experts are urging the Ugandan government to impose higher taxes on food and beverages that contribute to these health issues.
This proposal aims to generate funding for palliative care services, which remain severely under-resourced in the country.
Currently, less than 15 percent of those in need have access to palliative care, which encompasses vital medical and psychosocial support for individuals facing life-threatening illnesses.
Most of the services provided are reliant on donor funding, but with the rising incidence of NCDs such as cancer and diabetes, the demand for these essential services is expected to soar.
Dr. Emmanuel Luyirika, Executive Director of the African Palliative Care Association (APCA), emphasized the need for a sustainable funding model, suggesting that increased taxes on junk food and sugary beverages could serve as a viable solution.
“Government needs to dedicate a portion of taxpayers’ money to support palliative care,” he stated, advocating for a system that prioritizes public health over insurance schemes.
Despite discussions surrounding the implementation of a National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to achieve universal health coverage, Dr. Luyirika warned that such initiatives often overlook chronic diseases, which are crucially tied to palliative care needs.
He urged Uganda to learn from countries like Seychelles, Malaysia, and Botswana, which have successfully developed their National Health Services through taxpayer funding, creating systems that serve the entire population.
During a recent press conference, Dr. Charles Olaro, Director of Curative Services at the Ministry of Health, acknowledged the ongoing challenges in expanding access to palliative care. He revealed that less than 20 percent of individuals requiring oral liquid morphine—a critical pain management medication—currently receive it, highlighting a significant shortfall in supply that fails to meet increasing demand.
Executive Director of the Palliative Care Association of Uganda,Mark Mwesigwa called for increased awareness of Palliative Care.
“Some patients travel very long distances to hospitals to receive treatment only to lose their lives when they have just reached. Some of these patients will have been in hospital care for a long period and yet may even prefer to die at home. Strengthening Palliative Care provided at the community level can address this,”he remarked.
As the call for reform grows louder, health advocates are hopeful that the government will heed the advice of experts and prioritize the establishment of sustainable funding mechanisms to ensure that all Ugandans can access the palliative care they urgently need.