By Juma Nsubuga
The Equal Opportunities Commission has released a report on access to health services in both Islands and Mountainous Areas in Uganda.
The report was released under the Theme: Inclusive service delivery for sustainable and equitable development at the EOC headquarters in Kampala.
According to the principal research officer at this commission, Suzan Atukunda, EOC conducted a study in 2025 on access to health services in 16 districts located in both Islands and Mountainous areas.
“First of all we (EOC) want to thank and appreciate government for taking services to people especially in Mountainous and Island areas. The fact is we found government recruited health workers in these geographically challenged areas” Natukunda said adding that government has also tried to construct health facilities from health centre 2’s to regional referral hospitals.
Atukunda stated that government has also provided water Ambulances in Islands to ease transportation for the people but their accessibility is minimal.
She said that people pay money to use it which is dangerous to a poor person.
She adds that despite good work done by government, some disparities still exist in these geographically challenged areas.
“People in Islands pay over three hundred thousand shillings for transportation to and from to access health services which is not affordable by poor people” she added
The report indicates that some districts in the mentioned areas don’t have health centre 4’s and hospitals.
EOC also recommends the ministry of health to improve the functionality and quality services and enhance emergency transport infrastructure, scale up government Ambulances including boat Ambulances for Islands and consider mobile clinics or reinforced bicycles to improve patient referral and emergency response in remote terrain.
The report further indicates limited access to communication in Uganda’s Islands and mountainous areas.
“Limited access to communication devices and services like mobile phones, internet and network infrastructure directly affects how people access health services and how health systems function” Atukunda however urged the Uganda communication commission (UCC) to put in place stable cable network in those areas.
Meanwhile, Commissioner emergency services in the ministry of health Dr John Baptist Waniaye revealed that the Ministry of Health has a 5-year strategic plan and all the challenges mentioned in all geographically challenged areas will be catered for the that plan.
“I want to thank EOC for this balanced report and the ministry of health will make sure all challenges are rectified”
EOC member Sr. Marry Wasagali expressed dissatisfaction with government departments for always not implementing recommendations by different reports.
“We have had so many reports and recommendations but I’m wondering why they are not implemented by concerned departments” she said.
