Uganda may register more deaths from Malaria infections and an increase in Hepatitis B starting January 2017 if government under the ministry of health does not find ways to get funding in order to buy more drugs and vaccines.
The development comes after the National Medical stores, NMS a company authorized to distribute human drugs and all other medical supplies said it may not be enabled to deliver malarial drugs and Hepatitis B vaccines due to shortage of funds.
According to Moses Kamabare the NMS general manager, shortage of funds was caused by government’s decision to divert money meant for the procurement of the said drugs and vaccines to instead procure ARV drugs. The health ministry estimates that malaria accounts for 27% of all deaths in the country, while in Africa, Uganda is one of the top ten countries with high malarial mortality deaths.
Mr. Kamabare further warns that they do not have the 10 Billion shillings needed to procure Hepatitis B vaccines for the second and third vaccination exercises. He explains that even when they have some buffer stock, it will not be able to cover all districts and sustain completion of the vaccination exercise.
However, the finance ministry PRO Jim Mugunga insists they have provided NMS with all necessary funds according to the budget.
