The United States Launches the SURE Program to Increase Access to Essential Medicines and Health Supplies in Uganda

Kampala

The United States Government through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) launched the $38 million Securing Ugandans’ Right to Essential Medicines (SURE) Program on September 21, 2010.  The Minister of Health, Honorable Dr. Stephen Malinga, told the public that this program will modernize access to medicines across Uganda – ensuring, by 2014, that all Ugandans receive the medical treatment they need.           

USAID Deputy Mission Director John Mark Winfield said, “Sound pharmaceutical management is directly related to Uganda’s ability to adequately address public health concerns – specifically, the needs of its citizens to access essential medicines to treat common but life threatening diseases such as pneumonia, diarrhea, diabetes and malaria.”

USAID established the SURE Program to improve access for all Ugandans to essential medicines and health supplies.  The project will implement information technology systems within the Ministry of Health to forecast and plan needs for medicine and enhance financial management at Ministry, district, and local health facilities.   By 2014, the program will cover 45 districts across the country capitalizing on previous improvements to Uganda’s pharmaceutical supply system.

Dr. Birna Trap, Chief of Party for the SURE Program said, “The launching of the SURE Program represents a new chapter in the continued efforts to increase access to essential medicines and health supplies for Uganda.” 

The SURE Program is part of the United States’ ongoing partnership with Uganda to improve access to basic healthcare for all Ugandans.