What is healthcare in Uganda like?

Facilities and Health Information

Medical facilities in Uganda, including Kampala, are limited and not equipped to handle most emergencies, especially those requiring surgery. Outside Kampala, hospitals are scarce and offer only basic services. Recently, U.S. citizens involved in automobile accidents required immediate evacuation from Uganda, as surgery could not be performed due to insufficient blood supplies at the hospital where they sought treatment. Equipment and medicines are also often in short supply or unavailable. Travelers should carry their own supplies of prescription drugs and preventive medicines.

Malaria is prevalent in Uganda. Travelers who become ill with a fever or flu-like illness while traveling in a malaria-risk area and up to one year after returning home should seek prompt medical attention and tell the physician their travel history and what antimalarials they have been taking.

In July and November 2012, Uganda experienced outbreaks of Ebola hemorrhagic fever, and in October 2012 an outbreak of Marburg hemorrhagic fever occurred. There have been recent outbreaks of pneumonic plague, meningitis, yellow fever, and other types of infectious diseases. U.S. citizens are advised to be aware of the potential for disease outbreaks in Uganda and to always follow health guidelines to minimize risk or exposure.

Due to a polio outbreak, children under the age of five crossing from endemic neighboring countries such as Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, and Kenya (as well as Nigeria, India and Pakistan where the disease is also prevalent), may be required to receive an oral polio drop vaccination upon entry if not already vaccinated.

In December 2010, as many as seven districts in northern Uganda reported occurrences of yellow fever - including two possible cases from southern Sudan. Almost all of the reported severe cases (characterized by fever, vomiting and bleeding) continue to be concentrated in three districts, namely Abim (specifically Morulem sub-county), Agago (Omiya P’Chua, Adilang and Paimoi sub-counties), and Kitgum (Orum, Namokora and Kitgum Town Council).

In light of these findings, the U.S. Mission in Kampala recommends that U.S. citizens residing and traveling in Uganda avoid travel to these areas of Northern Uganda unless they have been vaccinated against yellow fever within the past 10 years. If vaccinated recently, do not travel to Northern Uganda for at least 10 days after receiving the vaccination. (Yellow fever vaccinations do not take effect for 10 days.) U.S. government officials who have not been vaccinated for yellow fever are not permitted to travel to the affected areas.

Tuberculosis is an increasingly serious health concern in Uganda.

Drinking Water Source - % of rural population improved

71%

Drinking Water Source - % of total population unimproved

25.2%

Drinking Water Source - % of urban population improved

94.8%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

6.5%

Hospital Bed Density - beds/1,000 population

.5

People Living with HIV/AIDS

1,200,000

Physicians Density - physicians/1,000 population

.12

Sanitation Facility Access - % of total population unimproved

66.1%

Sanitation Facility Access - % of urban population improved

32.8%

Sanitation Facility Access - % of rural population improved

34.1%

Infectious Diseases - degree of risk

very high

Animal Contact Disease (s)

rabies

Food or Waterborne Disease (s)

bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever

Vectorborne Disease (s)

malaria, dengue fever, and trypanosomiasis-Gambiense (African sleeping sickness)

Water contact disease (s)

schistosomiasis

Disability Access In Uganda

Accessibility

While in Uganda, individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation very different from what you find in the United States. Although the law prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities in employment, education, access to health care, and the provision of other state services, the government does not enforce the law effectively. The Uganda Human Rights Commission continues to receive complaints of discrimination in access to transportation, communication, and public buildings from persons with disabilities.

No statutory requirement exists mandating that buildings be accessible to persons with disabilities. Accessibility to public transportation, foot paths and road crossings, free or reduced fares, taxis, communication, lodging, medical facilities, restaurants, cafes, bars, and other tourist spots is similarly non-existent.

Disclaimer

You are responsible for ensuring that you meet and comply with foreign entry requirements, health requirements and that you possess the appropriate travel documents. Information provided is subject to change without notice. One should confirm content prior to traveling from other reliable sources. Information published on this website may contain errors. You travel at your own risk and no warranties or guarantees are provided by us.

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