Medicine shortages undermining village health teams

What the report says

A Makerere University School of Public Health evaluation has found that Village Health Teams in central Uganda have made major gains in training, equipment, mobility and public trust, but continue to struggle with shortages of basic medicines. The findings were presented on Thursday, October 15, 2026, by Prof. Nazarius Mbona Tumwesigye at the 4th Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Conference, hosted by Uganda’s Ministry of Health.

The study looked at the Capacity Building for Community Health Workers in Central Region Project, implemented with the Korea Foundation for International Healthcare in Masaka City, Masaka district and Bukomansimbi district from 2021 to 2025. It reported stronger support for volunteers, including more bicycles, uniforms, gumboots, mobile phones and compensation, alongside improved training in first aid, community mapping and disease prevention. Community confidence also rose, with more households recognizing and trusting local health workers.

Despite those improvements, the report said medicine gaps were undermining frontline care. Fewer volunteers had the drugs needed to treat sick children, and the share of children actually treated by Village Health Teams fell sharply, while more families were referred to health facilities. The article attributes the shortfall to supply chain problems and other logistical issues, including equipment losses and fewer report books from health centres.

The researchers recommended sustained funding through the Primary Health Care fund, better procurement of community case management medicines, improved digital reporting, and stronger supervision. The broader significance, as described by the publisher, is that Uganda’s community health system may not deliver fully unless drug supply keeps pace with the growing capacity of its volunteers.