Right to Health: Factors Leading to Inadequacy of Medicine in Government Health Units and its Consequence on People’s Lives-A Case Study of Toroma Sub-county, Katakwi District.

Abstract

AGUTI BETTY ROSE (2010-M083-10003) Right to Health: Factors Leading to Inadequacy of Medicine in Government Health Units and its Consequence on People’s Lives-A Case Study of Toroma Sub-county, Katakwi District. The right to health is a fundamental human right through which all other Rights enjoyment is based. When the Right to Health is fulfilled, it‟s most likely that all other rights can then be made a reality and the reverse is true. To achieve the full realisation of this right, it is necessary for all Governments to take steps for the prevention and treatment of diseases. Despite all endeavours by the Government of Uganda to provide effective and quality health service delivery, there has continued to be challenges of inadequate medicine in the Government Health Units, hence, negatively affecting the rural population that has no extra money to afford themselves treatment at the private health clinics. This study aimed at assessing factors that lead to inadequacy of medicine in Government Health Units, Consequences of such inadequacies on people‟s livelihoods and possible solutions to ensure availability of medicines in Government Health Units in Katakwi district-Toroma sub-county. Specifically, the study was set to; identify the factors leading to inadequate medicines in government health units, analyse consequences of inadequate medicines in the government health units on people‟s lives and suggest solutions to improve availability of medicine in the government health units in Katakwi district. Key Informant Interviews, Questionnaires, Focus Group Discussions and Document review were among the methods used during the study. These were accompanied by Questionnaires, Interview guides and Focus Group discussion guide as instruments of data collection. A total of 67 respondents (Top district and sub-county leadership, selected Health Unit managers and community members) of Katakwi district and Toroma sub-county were purposively selected to participate in the study. Increased population of the community compared to the quantity of medicines delivered in the various health units was the biggest cause of inadequacy of medicines in the government Health Units, followed by increased disease incidences and embezzlement/stealing of medicines by health workers. The push system of medicines delivery to the health units, poor planning, lack of up-to-date data, inadequate budget for Health Units among others were the causes of inadequate medicine in the Government Health Units in Katakwi district as revealed by the study. As consequences, these were then seen to lead to; high cost of living, death, and drug resistance. Other consequences included; increased school dropout rates, low productivity, poverty, loss of trust in government and its leadership, and increased family violence. To try to improve availability of medicines in the government Health Units, the study suggested the following; prioritisation of research to provide the correct population numbers to be served by the health units and the disease incidences among the community members. Community sensitisation on healthy living, strengthening of supervision and monitoring by different stakeholders, curbing drug theft by health workers, increasing on the health sector budget and improving the procurement procedure of medicines are among the possible remedies to improve availability of medicine in Government Health Units. Conclusively, therefore, the study has found out that there is a close relationship between people‟s health and their socio-economic and political relations. This therefore means that for meaningful harmonious and dignified living in community, there should be all efforts directed to improving health service delivery by all stakeholders. Key Words: Medicine, Government Health Units, People, Lives , Katakwi District.