Private Health Consumers Rights Protection Program in the Independent Private Health Subsector
The Uganda National Association of Private Hospitals (UNAPH)
is dedicated to effective health consumer rights and redress as one of the driving
forces in elements of change in private sector health services (Private-for-Profit
PFP sub-sector). UNAPH was formed in 2006 with one of the objectives as to protect
the rights of private health consumers.
UNAPH strives to promote effective health human rights advocacy in
private health services in the PFP private sector settings. This is an integral
part of key policy and decision-making processes affecting many Ugandans. The
organization intends to provide a strong voice for consumers, their families
and the community. In sharing the experience of health service provision
malpractices, the organization addresses common issues and encourages
people to seek help and redress.
UNAPH will establish an oversight mechanism of Health Standards Compliance
with the task of ensuring that Private-for-Profit (PFP) private healthcare
providers around the country comply with minimum standards set by the
government and law. The mechanism will have two objectives among others:
attending to complaints by private health consumers and ensuring compliance by
PFP private healthcare professionals and institutions with government norms and
standards.
The mechanism will have
three units (Inspectorate, Accreditation, and Ombudsman) that will carry out
several different functions, including:
- Collaborating with the Ministry of Health on the development of norms and standards for the PFP health sub-sector;
- Making sure that PFP private health establishments comply with set norms and standards;
- Issuing certification of compliance to private healthcare facilities; and
- Investigating complaints.
The Ombudsman role, assisted by the Inspectorate, will be required
to investigate any complaint of improper conduct by a PFP healthcare facility
and liaise with the MOH who will have subpoena powers.
In the meantime, UNAPH has drafted a Hospital Accreditation Manual
and Survey Guide and is preparing to invite all stakeholders and interested
persons to submit comments on the program.
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