By Gilbert Akampa Kakurugu
HEALTH
The Ministry of Health has announced new measures to expand access to family planning services across the country, citing persistent challenges in availability and uptake.
The revelation was made by Dr. Chris Ebong, Principal Medical Officer in charge of Reproductive and Child Health at the Ministry, while speaking at a media café organized by the Uganda Health Journalists Network (HEJNU). Dr. Ebong said the ministry is working to make family planning more convenient by extending services to drug shops and pharmacies.
He noted that Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs) and Village Health Teams (VHTs) have been trained to provide accurate information and support for those unable to reach health facilities.
Ebong emphasized that family planning is critical in addressing teenage pregnancies, urging children to remain in school.
He clarified that services are primarily intended for adults, with exceptions only for adolescents who have previously been pregnant and returned to school and only with parental consent.
Methods and Effectiveness
Ebong categorized family planning into natural methods and modern methods, with modern methods further divided into short‑term and long‑term options.
He explained that natural methods include practices such as exclusive breastfeeding, monitoring menstrual cycles and observing safe days. However, he cautioned that natural methods are not fully reliable, stressing that exclusive breastfeeding must be strictly practiced to be effective.
Innovations and Digital Access
Senior pharmacist Daniel Aguma highlighted ongoing innovations to improve service delivery, including an AI chatbot that allows Ugandans to consult family planning specialists from home. He urged women of childbearing age to seek counseling to identify the most suitable method, warning that lack of planning can quickly create emergencies.
Aguma acknowledged challenges such as stock‑outs, but said the ministry has introduced systems to redistribute commodities between facilities and is recruiting more pharmacy technicians to strengthen supply chain management. He encouraged the public to use the ministry’s digital platforms, including the Nurse Lina app, WhatsApp line 0700542322, and toll‑free number 0800100066
Male Involvement and Counseling
Aguma also called on men to actively participate in family planning decisions, noting that free vasectomy services are available but underutilized. He advised women to undergo counseling before choosing a method, as some options may be irreversible, and to return to their providers if side effects occur rather than seeking removal elsewhere.
“Family planning is not an emergency, but its absence can create one at any time,” Aguma said.
The ministry’s renewed push underscores the importance of inclusive, accessible, and informed family planning services in safeguarding Uganda’s public health and reducing unintended pregnancies.
