Healthcare in Uganda

Hi,

how does the healthcare system work in Uganda ? Is it efficient ?

What are the main differences between public and private sectors?

Is it recommended to purchase private health insurance in Uganda?

Thanks in advance for sharing your experience !

Julien

Hi I worked in Kampala and can recommend private care from any of the main clinics, the government hospitals are not recommended at all. Additionally my home is in Nabugabo a rural village close to masaka. For screening of malaria there is a reasonable Health Centre 3, and a private hospital, which I have visited with children. Service is very slow, although the consultation was reasonable and treatment ok. I would not wish to stay there overnight. Yes medical insurance is a good idea, look at AAR. If I was seriously ill I would probably travel into Kenya, as do the wealthy Ugandans. One of the main issues is the counterfeit drugs that the pharmacies give out as well. Only use a recommended pharmacy and you can buy anything over the counter without a prescription.

The government healthcare is quite bad, so most expats resort to private healthcare providers and there are several particularly in Kampala. The best thing to do is ask friends and associates if they can recommend good healthcare providers.
It is not necessary to travel to kenya unless your treatment requirements are quite specific/complex and require specialists not available in the country. Some local clinics can be okay, especially for Maleria treatment as its quite common to catch it and therefore treatment is videly available.
There are also home care agencys, but like most things in the country, its best to ask the people who live there as a lot works on word of mouth there.

Hi Julien
Thanks for the inquiry made. Healthcare in Uganda is a rather complex issue. I would like to let u know that the private sector is more advanced as compared to the public sector. This is the main reason why all referral hospitals are in a very dire state. It's really weird that patients are carried out of referral hospitals into private medical facilities. Therefore I would advise the purchase of private health insurance to be safe in Uganda. But then you have to look at the various insurance companies and the insurance benefits provided. I have sold insurance before and I advise that you study these policies before purchase.