Africa Knowledge Management Portal
Informing health decisions and actions
Community Health Extension Workers Strategy in Uganda (2015/16- 2019/20)
Health Systems
Description
Despite major strides to improve the health of the population in the last 10 - 15 years, the health status of Ugandans remains relatively poor with high morbidity and mortality from preventable causes. The National Population and Housing Census 2014 show a life expectancy of 63.3 years and under five mortality of 80/1000. The major health problems of the country largely arise from preventable communicable diseases, non-communicable diseases and nutritional disorders. The majority (about 75%) of Ugandans live in rural areas, many of which are remote and lack health services. Government therefore recognized the need to develop a health care delivery system designed to improve the health status of households, with their full participation, using local technologies and resources.