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Annual Report of Uganda National Association of Private Hospitals (UNAPH), 2016

Annual Report of Uganda National Association of Private Hospitals (UNAPH), 2016

Uganda National Association of Private Hospitals (UNAPH) was formed and incorporated in December 2006 as a trade association representing private hospital and private health clinics interests in Uganda. Prior to its inception, six founding directors – three of which were medical doctors, three other representing different organizations including Uganda Rural Health Association (URHA), one representing private health consumers and the other a consultant –met to discuss issues and gaps affecting the independent private health subsector or rather the Private-for-Profit (PFP) health subsector in Uganda, which led to the formation of a national private sector body representing private hospitals and private health clinics in Uganda - Uganda National Association of Private Hospitals (UNAPH)

Between 2006 and 2010, UNAPH provided a platform for national action when the need arose, but had no employed staff and no formal office facilities. During this period the Association had to be effective in representing this specific sector, but with little attention being paid to the Association by outside agencies.

Following the recommendation of a task committee in 2010 to enhance its national presence, UNAPH established a Liaison Office with Medimark Uganda Limited. The staff consisted of the Executive Director, a program coordinator and a secretary, with most operations initially accommodated in the Executive Director’s private clinic. Over the recent years the workload of the Association increased exponentially resulting in a need for larger accommodation.

The Association has tried to unify the independent private hospital sector and, with a mean committed leadership and loyal, fairly competent staff, dedicated to transform a loose knit fragmented group of independent private health facilities into a respected, influential and high-profile private health sector association. 

Throughout all our existence, criticism came from a few stakeholders about the use of the word “Hospitals” when most of our members were medical clinics ranging from Health Centre I – Health center III but this was foreseen and emphasized in UNAPH’s Articles of Association whereby to make the organization more representative, the word “Hospitals” meant private hospitals, independent private health clinics, private medical laboratories, or any private health facility rather than only hospitals by any current grading or accreditation standard. And besides, this is an international model for private health sector management.

Recently, UNAPH has restructured and established a Private Hospitals Council (PHC), presenting a unique avenue for private hospitals representation to have direct input into various private health policy developments and programs. Previously, with only the hospitals being members of UNAPH, hospitals had only a vicarious link with the national body. PHC will help engage effectively with the Ministry of Health (MOH), Medical Councils and Departments on issues of relevance to our members and maintain ongoing, constructive dialogue.

Following this structural reorganization, we have taken a sharper focus on being ‘the’ national voice for independent private hospitals and medical clinics, as well as in driving improvements in private healthcare. Through all Ugandan private sector infights, competition, duplication, distortion and marginalization, the association has managed to thrive. Due to the Association’s policy contribution and achievements, membership is slowly increasing.

At no other stage in its 10-year history has UNAPH been more active or more committed in representing private hospitals. Now more than ever, it is essential private hospitals continue to speak with one voice. While the achievements of UNAPH have been substantial but less recognized, the challenges ahead for the private health sector are great and the political landscape is ever-changing.

It is our profound desire to see the Association’s ability to lobby, advocate, liaise and effectively lead private hospitals further bolstered, taking critical issues and concerns to key decision-makers.

UNAPH’s Aims are:

• To represent, promote and protect the interests of private hospitals and clinics, their owners and operators, and to proactively interact with members, to ensure private health care continues to be dynamic in meeting the everchanging needs of the Ugandan community.

• To champion the cause of independent private hospitals in delivering the very best in hospital care to patients.

• To ensure that Ugandans are empowered with personal choice and rapid access to affordable hospital care of the highest quality.

• To strive in achieving acceptance by government, departments and partners of a comprehensive role for PFP private hospitals in their desire to provide a full range of health care services and their commitment to adequate self-regulation and review - thus ensuring the highest standards in quality care.

• To adopt all measures necessary to emphasize the rightful place of private hospitals in Uganda’s health care system.

To achieve these aims, UNAPH will:

• Initiate, foster and maintain a consultative, cooperative and communicative approach to dealing with governments, partners, stakeholders, health-related organizations, media, community groups and the public.

• Act as the coordinating and lobbying body for independent private hospitals and private medical clinics in Uganda.

• Encourage and facilitate united positions among member and non-member private hospitals, as well as all other relevant bodies, to achieve consensus in the policies and issues advanced.

• Promote and recognize the highest professional and ethical standards, health service delivery achievements and innovative medical and non-medical treatments for the betterment of patient and community wellbeing.

• Stimulate greater awareness of independent private hospital excellence through improved communication between hospitals and the Uganda community.

Standards

UNAPH has, since its inception in 2006, been integral to the achievement and maintenance of the highest standards of patient care within private hospitals. In 2011, through its various committees, UNAPH initiated the accreditation program, private health patient safety guidelines, private health patient charter to provide input to the establishment and review of the standards drafted by the MOH medical councils.

I am indebted to the members of the Executive and Board of Directors for their support and selfless dedication. I am sure that the coming years will be both demanding and challenging for the Association and its members. Working together we can ensure that private hospitals continue to play an important role in Uganda’s healthcare system.

Dr. Denis Kimalyo
Executive Director

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