Every year, the Network of African Parliamentary Committees of Health (NEAPACOH) convenes parliamentarians from nearly 20 countries to review progress and challenges toward health goals.
These efforts are informed by the latest evidence on health needs, gaps in funding, and promising interventions. In February 2024, the meeting in Maseru, Lesotho resulted in an ambitious plan to advance the health agenda in Africa.
Having been influential in shaping the priorities of the session and providing evidence to guide the commitments, PATH advocates in Africa and the Partners in Population and Development Africa Regional Office (PPD ARO) are now embarking on an effort to track progress and hold parliamentarians accountable for their commitments in 5 countries—Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, Nigeria, and Malawi.
Already, we have seen strong commitment toward action from Uganda.
Commitments from the NEAPACOH conference
During the NEAPACOH 2024 conference, Ugandan parliamentarians committed to the following:
1. Exploring domestic financing options for health:
- Fast-track the enactment of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) law.
- Promote the development of private wing services in health facilities.
- Provide incentives for the private sector development of the pharmaceutical industry.
2. Enacting laws and advocating for policies to address teenage pregnancy:
- Address teenage pregnancy as a major driver of maternal mortality.
3. Prioritizing prevention strategies:
- Implement community health strategies, including health promotion and education.
4. Advocating for the implementation of the Demographic Dividend Roadmap.
5. Integrating health into the national climate change adaptation plan:
- Increase the resilience of health systems and communities by incorporating health into the national climate change adaptation plan.
Holding politicians accountable to accelerate progress
In August 2024, PATH, in partnership with PPD-ARO, supported a workshop for Uganda’s Parliamentary Committee for Health to review the progress made and identify actions needed to accelerate efforts.
Hon. Dr. Ruyonga Joseph, the newly appointed Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Health, pledged to work with fellow parliamentarians to fast-track the implementation of these commitments. Specifically, the committee members agreed to fast-track the NHIS Bill, which is currently under review by the cabinet, and will protect Ugandans from catastrophic health expenditures as a means toward increasing universal health coverage.
Regarding teenage pregnancy, they championed several awareness campaigns and committed to reviewing the FY2025/26 budget to ensure it includes adequate resources to implement the National Strategy to End Teenage Pregnancy and Child Marriage. The committee emphasized the need for increased resources for health promotion and education as part of the Primary Health Care budget.
PATH’s Uganda Country Director, Betty Mirembe, urged parliamentarians to prioritize domestic investments in health system strengthening, with a focus on ending maternal mortality, improving newborn health, and reaching underserved populations with critical vaccines and life-saving commodities, particularly in meeting the country’s co-financing obligations for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
Looking ahead in advocacy
Working with PPD-ARO, PATH will continue to support country-level convenings and engage with parliamentarians in Uganda and the other 4 countries to gather information, hold policymakers accountable, and accelerate the implementation of these commitments, with plans to report on that progress at the next NEAPACOH in February 2025.
