TheUgandan Ministry of Health has clarified that it is against the law for government hospitals to impose fees for post-mortem examinations.
Dr. Richard Kabanda, the Commissioner of Health Promotion, Education, and Communication at the Ministry of Health, addressed the media on Friday, emphasizing that post-mortems are compulsory procedures funded by the government. He stated that regardless of where a person passes away, whether at home or in a hospital, all deceased individuals must undergo a post-mortem to determine the cause of death.
Dr. Kabanda explained that this protocol is essential for identifying infectious diseases promptly. He recalled an incident during the Ebola outbreak in Mubende when people began burying their relatives without notifying authorities. Notifying authorities is crucial to ensure that deceased individuals undergo post-mortem examinations. This process helps the government respond promptly to infectious diseases, preventing further spread.
Responding to the question of why government hospitals have been charging fees for post-mortems, Dr. Kabanda attributed it to the public’s lack of awareness. He also highlighted that post-mortem results can reveal previously unknown medical conditions, such as cancer, which can be valuable information for the deceased’s family.
Dr. Kabanda made this statement during a five-day workshop organized by USAID, aimed at enhancing the communication skills of public health communicators, journalists, and communication officers from various government departments. The workshop focused on equipping participants with the ability to effectively communicate about emerging and re-emerging diseases in the country.
Dr. Immaculate Nabukenya, a lecturer at Makerere University and an employee of the Ministry of Health, highlighted the importance of understanding how diseases like Foot and Mouth, sleeping sickness, rabies, and anthrax spread. She emphasized the interconnectedness of human health, animal health, and environmental factors in disease transmission.
Mr. Venanio Ahabwe, an official with the USAID Social Behavior Change Activity, explained that the training aimed to strengthen one health reporting in Uganda. This approach recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health and the potential for disease transmission if not properly managed.
