USAID/ UGANDA PRIVATE HEALTH SUPPORT PROGRAM (2016-2019)

The Private Sector Assessment (PSA) Report

The Private Sector Assessment Team is very appreciative for the unrelenting support by the Ministry of Health Uganda, the Planning Department in particular, the PSA Advisory Committee chaired by Dr. Sarah Byakika and the Public-Private Partnership in Health Technical Working Group (PPPH-TWG) for the insights and guidance throughout the entire assessment process. The Team also acknowledges the support from USAID through the USAID/Uganda Private Health Support Program, together with other development partners, such as the World Bank Group’s Health in Africa Initiative (HIA) and the Global Finance Facility supporting the UN Secretary-General’s Every Woman Every Child Global for Maternal Care (GFF) that committed funds and technical assistance to the PSA.

The team would also like to thank Dr. Timothy Musila and Ms. Sandra Kebirungi from the Ministry of Health’s PPPH Node for their contributions in the preparations for the PSA, stakeholder interviews and the validation stages of the assessment. Distinctive recognition goes to Mr. David Odongo for a remarkable job as the data analyst and Quality Health International Consultants Limited for reviewing and validating the final draft report. Special recognition to Ms. Angellah Nakyanzi for coordinating both the technical and advisory team throughout the assessment, copy- edit and finalizing the assessment report.
Download PSA Report (PDF)

COST AND PRICING:

An assessment Of Private Health Facilities In Uganda

When faced with a health problem, most people in the third world first visit private healthcare providers, including private health practitioners (PHP). In Uganda, it is estimated that PHPs, who are considered more responsive to demand, contribute up to 46% of healthcare provision (MoH, 2011).

The country’s Public-Private Partnerships in Health (PPPH) policy emphasizes the full participation of the private health sector in attaining national health goals, but it has been noted that the expansion of PHPs has largely been unregulated and chaotic (MOH 2009). And in spite of the recognition of the critical role that the private sector can play in service access, the costing of the national minimum package of health services has been based mainly on the public sector. Yet charges for consultation, investigatory tests, hospitalization and pharmaceuticals tend to discourage some households from seeking care when it is needed (Russell S & Gilson L, 1997).

This report presents outcomes from a study commissioned by USAID/Uganda Private Health Support Program to determine factors that influence the costing and pricing of selected health services in the private sector. The study was conducted in 36 private health facilities distributed in four districts. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire, personal interviews and focus group discussions. The cost of services and commodities was based on micro-costing (ingredients approach), step down costing and the provider’s perspective. The WHO/HAI methodology was used for determining medicine price components.
Download Cost & Pricing Report