How is Humanity Direct helping end unaffordable medical care?

In many low and middle-income countries, the official policy is that all surgical care at Government hospitals is to be delivered for free. The reality though is somewhat different with patients often having to pay hidden ‘out of pocket’ costs. Patients can be charged for instruments used during surgery, the hospital stay, medications and follow-up care.

With 41% of Uganda’s population living on less than $1.90 a day the chances of being able to contribute towards the cost of an operation are slim, especially among parents who may have to choose whether they can pay the school fees or for medical care. If medical treatment is paid for it can easily be a ‘catastrophic expense’ that pushes households into further poverty.

By covering the costs of operations we’re helping deliver surgery to children who don’t have access to it.

We strongly believe that low income countries must abolish user fees for medical care and choose a way to finance it that will ensure children can get the treatment they need.