Uganda Moves Toward Integrated Disease Care
Uganda is taking a bold step to streamline health service delivery by integrating care for communicable diseases (CDs) and non-communicable diseases (NCDs). As the country faces a growing double burden of disease—infectious illnesses alongside rising chronic conditions—health authorities are exploring new models to deliver comprehensive, efficient, and sustainable care across the public health system.
Rationale for Integration
Traditionally, CDs and NCDs have been treated in separate programs, often leading to fragmented care, duplicated resources, and missed opportunities for patients with coexisting conditions. The integration strategy aims to align service delivery, strengthen referral pathways, and improve patient outcomes by addressing health needs holistically. By combining screening, treatment, and follow-up under a unified framework, Uganda hopes to improve access, reduce out-of-pocket costs, and enhance the quality of care at primary health facilities and referral centers alike.
Key Elements of the Policy
The initiative focuses on several core elements designed to create a seamless patient experience and more efficient use of resources:
- Unified service platforms: Co-located services for CDs and NCDs at primary care clinics and district hospitals.
- Integrated screening and prevention: Routine checks for infectious diseases alongside risk assessment for NCDs such as hypertension and diabetes.
- Shared supply chains: Consolidated procurement and logistics to ensure essential medicines, vaccines, and diagnostic tools are consistently available.
- Cross-training of health workers: Training programs that empower staff to diagnose and manage CDs and NCDs within the same encounter when appropriate.
- Data and monitoring: Harmonized health information systems to track outcomes, service utilization, and patient experiences across disease types.
Impacts on Patients and Providers
For patients, integrated services promise shorter wait times, clearer care pathways, and more convenient access to life-saving interventions. People with chronic conditions may benefit from regular monitoring embedded in infectious disease programs, while those at risk for NCDs can receive timely counseling and preventive care during visits for CDs. Health workers are expected to gain from clearer guidelines, better referral networks, and opportunities to provide person-centered care rather than navigating multiple vertical programs.
Policy and Financing Outlook
The government is examining financing models to sustain integration, including potential adjustments to health insurance schemes, performance-based incentives, and public-private partnerships. International partners and donor agencies are monitoring the rollout, recognizing that successful integration could serve as a model for other countries facing similar double burdens. Strong governance, transparent budgeting, and community engagement will be crucial to ensure that the integration improves outcomes without compromising access or affordability.
Measuring Success
Success metrics will likely include reductions in hospital admissions for preventable complications, increased early detection of NCDs, improved treatment adherence, and patient satisfaction scores. As data collection improves, policymakers can refine clinical guidelines and resource allocation to maximize impact across CDs and NCDs.
What’s Next
Uganda’s plan suggests a phased rollout with pilot sites to test feasibility, workflows, and community acceptance before scaling nationwide. Stakeholders emphasize the importance of local tailoring—ensuring services meet rural and urban needs, respect cultural contexts, and address geographic disparities in access to care.
