By Francis Lubega
6th March 2019
The Bukuya County Member of Parliament Michael Bukenya Iga, has secured from parliament to introduce the National Health Insurance Private Members’ Bill.
Bukenya sought leave of parliament through the Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, saying there is an urgent need for a law to address the costs of treatment, which is one of the barriers to accessing quality healthcare in the country.
The proposed law is expected to usher in a National Health Insurance Scheme to ensure that Ugandans access affordable, acceptable and quality healthcare services.
According to Bukenya, the proposed law is long overdue since it is supported by the Sustainable Development Goals III and the National Development Plan II among others.
The Uganda National Household Survey of 2017 shows that 14.2% of Ugandan households incur catastrophic health expenditures due to direct out-of-pocket, payments which compromises household welfare and affects the ability to consume other basic needs like food, education and shelter eventually leading to poverty.
Justine Khainza, the Bududa Woman MP seconded the proposed Bill, saying the absence of a Health Insurance law excludes a big percentage of Ugandans from accessing healthcare adding that within the East African Region, it is only Uganda without a National Insurance Law hence the need for parliament to enact one.
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