In this Newsletter, we bring you a stories of change, how HEPS Uganda is working to improve people's lives in communities where we operate.

1. Quarterly Newsletter
October 2014 - December 2014
4th Edition, October - December 2014
Making Health Rights And Health Responsibilities A Reality
HEPS Uganda changing lives in communities
Quarterly Newsletter

2. Quarterly Newsletter
January 2015 - March 2015
CONTENTS
PG 3
PG 4
PG 5
PG 6
PG 7
PG 8
Community Talks : Health responses grow stronger
National Dialogue on ART Access, Pictorial
Advocacy beyond national level - Tour to Germany
Community Volunteering for positive change
Beatrice’s story of change.
About US

3. Quarterly Newsletter
October 2014 - December 2014
U
niversal access to essential
medicines remains an outcry
across the country for most
vulnerable communities in Uganda.
Despite the government efforts, media
reports and surveys conducted show
that the situation is deteriorating.
Factors affecting access are ranging
from limited budget line for procure-
ment of essential medicines and medical
supplies which is at 400billion, bureau-
cracy at NMS and the delays at the dis-
trict have contributed to stock of drugs
in public health facilities.
In districts like Kiboga and Lira, HEPS
Uganda has engaged communities by
providing a sharing platform between
community members and service pro-
viders using a hybrid of social account-
ability approaches.
This engagement identified a number
of concerns particularly the increased
community awareness on entitlements
and their interest in pushing health
workers to meet their expectations, a sit-
uation that has put community members
at easy to express themselves and point
out the most pressing issues they encoun-
ter as they access services openly.
HESP has also used social media to
raise awareness using community loud
speakers during market days and the
local stations in the respective district,s
the approach has wider coverage since
the radio programmes
reaches out to other sub coun-
ties that are not targeted.
50% of the communities
reached by the community
monitors show that account-
ability projects promote com-
munity participation in hard
to reach areas.
HEPS has identified a
network or partners under the
“Kiboga Advocacy Forum” and “North-
ern Uganda Coalition on Health Advo-
cacy (NUCHA)” coalition to strengthen
collective efforts in addressing some
of the factors affecting access to essen-
tial medicines. The networks are linked
to the Uganda Coalition on Access to
Essential Medicines (UCEAM).
Community Talks : Health
responses grow stronger
In districts like Kiboga and Lira, HEPS Uganda
has engaged communities by providing a
sharing platform between community mem-
bers and service providers using a hybrid of
social accountability approaches.

4. Quarterly Newsletter
January 2015 - March 2015
National Dialogue on ART Access: Civil
Society demands more gov’t commitment
H
EPS-Uganda carried out a
survey of access to essen-
tial medicines and diagnos-
tics for HIV/AIDS and TB. The survey
assessed progress and identified gaps
in access to HIV and TB treatment, and
diagnostics for the period of December-
January 2014. The study was a follow-
up to the three earlier surveys that have
been conducted with support from
HIVOS since 2009. It was conducted in
118 public, private and private-not-for-
profit (PNFP) health facilities accred-
ited by Ministry of Health to provide
ART in central, northern, eastern and
western Uganda. A basket of 67 essen-
tial medicines for TB and HIV was sur-
veyed: 57 ARVs and 10 anti-TB’s.
The dialogue was organised on 26th of
November not only to disseminate the
findings but also provide opportunity
to exchange and share ideas between
key stakeholders, including the media,
members of parliament, CSOs and
UCEAM members.
Highlights of the survey
There was no presence of the con-
demned triple therapy HIV drug Tri-
omune which was a good develop-
ment given the toxicity of the drug and
the need to move to more user-friend-
ly drugs in order to promote adherence
and retention.
Low availability of HIV medicines for
children as well as for second and third
line. There were unconfirmed reports
that Abacavir, a second line drug, was
being given to clients on first line therapy,
which was said would be a worrying
development for the future treatment
needs of such clients.
On diagnostics, it was discovered that
all HIV treatment sites surveyed had
Determine kits but availability of other
brands was low, which undermined
their ability to conduct confirmatory
HIV tests.
The report showed positive findings on
availability of TB medication, the com-
bination Rifampicin/Isoniazid/Pyrazi-
namide/Ethambutol, used in the initi-
ation stage of treatment, was the most
available anti-TB which implies reduced
reliability on monotherapies and their
attendant pill burden.
The dialogue was informed of pro-
grammatic changes that PEPFAR will
be putting in place effective 2015 that
will have direct impact on access to ART
across the country. The changes involve
allocation of a fixed annual amount of
money (about US$ 184 million) to each
of the PEPFAR supported countries. In
addition, PEPFAR funds will be direct-
ed to key populations as a way of gen-
erating greatest benefit. The decision
is ostensibly occasioned by the global
financial crisis and the need to increase
benefits from US support.
Stakeholders expressed civil society
concern that the PEPFAR’s decision is
likely to hit Uganda hard, given that
there is a rising number of PLHIV and
a rising demand for treatment. A flat
amount of support from PEPFAR means
that the country must find alternative
funding for treatment of the additional
numbers projected to join the demand
for ART between now and 2020.
The meeting recommended that there
is need for government to provide
resources from domestic sources to cover
the anticipated shortfall arising from the
new ceiling on PEPFAR’s support. Civil
society should demand more commit-
ment from government and ownership
of the country’s HIV programme. Partic-
ipants specifically appealed for the expe-
dited implementation of the AIDS Trust
Fund which is proposed in the new HIV
prevention and control act.
As it happened in pictures
Government should pro-
vide resources from do-
mestic sources to cover
the anticipated shortfall
arising from the new ceil-
ing on PEPFAR’s support.
HEPS deputy Executive Director, denis Kibira talks to the media briefly after making
his presentation at the national dialogue on access to ART. (File Photo)

5. Quarterly Newsletter
October 2014 - December 2014
B
ukoPharma-Kampagne
(a member of Health
Action International) of
Bielefeld, Germany with local
associate HEPS Uganda con-
ducted a survey in 2013. The
study report is titled Poor and
forgotten: Examination of the
business behavior of Boehrin-
gerIngelheim, Bayer and Baxter
in Uganda. The study was part
three of a series of studies; other
studies having been conducted
in India and Brazil in previous
years. The main objective of the
tour was to promote the survey
report and also to Highlight the
health status of Uganda to policy
makers and advocacy groups to
focus development aid to main
challenges of the country.
Speeches were conduct-
ed for small groups of 15-20
advocates, politicians in
cities/towns including
Bielefeld, Greven, Munster,
Hamm, Aachen, Cologne,
Leverkusen, Bad Oeyn-
hausen, Ingelheim, Dussel-
dorf and Krefed. Several
other cities visited includ-
ed Hengelo, Bad Bentheim,
Duisberg, Dortmund, Brack-
wede, Herford, Minden and
Hameln. The major advoca-
cy points raised in all meet-
ings were;
•StakeholdersinGermany
to support medicine price regu-
lation in Uganda.
• Federal Germany govern-
ment to work with Ugandan
government and pharmaceu-
tical stakeholders to support
pharmaceutical human resource
development including student
exchanges, research and devel-
opment, technology transfer.
• Germany government
and development partners to
support consumer health educa-
tion in Uganda.
In Greven: a meeting was held
with the Left Party of Parliament
while in Leverkusen, a
meeting was
held withofficials
from Bayer
Healthcare Pharmaceuticals
including the Vice President
(Corporate Commercial Rela-
tions) Klaus Brill and Ute Menke
the Head of Sustainability and
External Reporting. During the
meeting Bayer agreed to assess
the possibility of differentiating
market according to socio-eco-
nomic status in order to provide
cheaper prices in Uganda and
Africa. Although patent for Mox-
ifloxacin was ending in 2014,
company had not made decision
on lowering its price but was
looking to generic
compe- tition
t o help
lower the price.
Additionally, Company will
continue to provide Jadelle (the
long term contraceptive) at a
subsidized U$8 (from market
US$18) even after end of the
USAID-Gates Foundation Con-
traceptive Security Program in
2018. Company agreed to be
willing to partner on HR devel-
opment and technology trans-
fer.
Dusseldorf: a meeting was
held with Members of Parlia-
ment from the Green Party
including Andrea Asch and
ArifUnal and Ministry
of Health officials.
As a Way forward stakehold-
ers recommended the need to up
required for programming col-
laboration with BukoPharma-
Kampagne. The Follow up to
be done with WHO and Minis-
try of Health over issues related
to technology transfer Research
and Development and human
resource development. Follow
the links below for film shows for
the Streamed project in Bielefeld.
http://vimeo.com/105434652
and Uganda truth trip. https://
docs.google.com/file/d/0B4-
hxn-4gtcrSlhjanNLWTNrZ0k/
edit?pli=1
Advocacy beyond national level - Tour to Germany
META was represented in the Inter-
national META Secretariat meeting
held in Geneva to share country
experience, identifying promising
and recommended strategies to
improve transparency and account-
ability and identify ways of sustain-
ing META across all countries.
HEPS together with Clinton Health
Access Initiative (CHAI), conducted
a survey on to monitor the avail-
ability of ORS/ZINC treating diar-
rhea in children under the age of
five (5) in 95 districts in Uganda.
HEPS staff attend a Conference on
Universal Health Coverage in Oc-
tober organized by World Health
Organization in Germany’s capital,
Berlin(October 2014).
META represented HEPS,CHAI partner HEPS staff in Berlin
Their PEPFAR changes are
effective 2015. The changes
involve alloca-tion of a fixed
annual amount of money
(about US$ 184 million) to
each of the PEPFAR sup-
ported countries. In addition,
PEPFAR funds will be directed
to key populations as a way
of generat-ing greatest ben-
efit. The deci-sion is ostensi-
bly occasioned by the global
financial crisis and the need
to increase benefits from US
support.
PEPFAR introduces
changes in policy
Ugandahasbeenranked142nd
in the 2014 Global Corruption
Perception Index released by
Transparency International
on Wednesday, dropping two
places compared to last year.
The Global Corruption Percep-
tion Index ranks countries and
territories based on how cor-
rupt their public sector is per-
ceived to be.
Last year, Uganda was in 140th
position, having dropped ten
places from 130th in 2012
Uganda drops two
places in global
corruption ranking

6. Quarterly Newsletter
January 2015 - March 2015
Community volunteering is an act of
involvingthelocalcommunitymembers
in contributing to the implementation of com-
munity programs/ activities that are benefi-
cial to the local environment at a voluntary
basis. That is, a collaborative strategy between
local community members and implementing
agents, in community service implemented
at a no cost basis or without pay but at times
involving little facilitation in form of allowanc-
es to the community members.
The local community members who partici-
pate at a voluntary basis are referred to as vol-
unteers. Depending on the sector they work,
the terms may differ under which these vol-
unteers are described, for example in Pallisa
district, these are called village health teams
(VHTS), community linkage coordinators
(CLFs), or community focal persons (CFP) and
volunteer peer educators (VPE). Volunteers
range from parishes, sub counties and district
level and these play a greater role in ensuring
that community work is performed in their
respective communities
Regardless of the description, the VHTS have
been behind the success of most of the imple-
mented programs that require community
involvement. Normally, if any development is
to be realized, it is advisably right for the com-
munity members to always be involved in par-
ticular programs that are designed to benefit
the entire community. VHTS are therefore
involved in programs that require mobiliza-
tion and sensitization like immunization, pesti-
cide management, and distribution of govern-
ment item like nets pesticides among others.
They can also be involved in health facilities
to help out in HCT services, malaria testing at
health center one, two, and at threes as linkage
facilitators to carry out follow ups, tracking of
clients in TB and HIV sections, mobilize com-
munities for other services like SMC activities.
Community Volunteering for positive change
HEPS beyond Uganda
MeTA Global Forum:
stakeholders urged
to be committed
The global meeting were HEPS-Uganda was rep-
resented, was intended to share country expe-
riences, identify promising and recommended
strategies to improve transparency and account-
abilityandwaysofsustainingMeTAacrosscountries.
Upon closure of META country respondents
agreed that there is need for commitment from
stakeholders to continue with MeTA in the long
term according to IMS sustainability survey con-
ducted in December 2013. However, funding was
noted as the biggest challenge to sustainability
followed by government support. The proposed
solution was institutionalization of MeTA within
countries following the end of DFID funding in
August 2015. In the Uganda country presenta-
tion and other presentations, proposals were
made on how MeTA can be institutionalized;
• MeTA Jordan has been involved in develop-
ment of second National Medicines Policy. A
task force has been established for implementa-
tion of the NMP. Uganda’s last NDP was devel-
oped in 2002 but has no limit. It is an opportu-
nity to review this plan during the review of the
National Pharmaceutical Sector Strategic Plan.
• Using price surveys, MeTA Peru has start-
ed an online medicine price observatory
which was approved by MoH as legislation.
This is something MeTA Uganda can emulate.
• MeTA is registered as an NGO in Ghana and Phil-
ippines. It can be registered in other countries.
Funding was noted as the biggest challenge
to sustainability followed by government
support. The proposed solution was institu-
tionalization of MeTA within countries follow-
ing the end of DFID funding in August 2015.

7. Quarterly Newsletter
October 2014 - December 2014
HEPS beyond Uganda
The US Agency for International Develop-
ment (USAID) grant for the Uganda Health
Supply Chain program started in August
2014 and runs through August 2019. It is led
by Management Sciences for Health (MSH)
with its partners; HEPS-Uganda, Harvard
Pilgrim Health Care Institute; Euro Health
Group; Imperial Health Sciences; and Maker-
ere University College of Health Sciences.
The mission for this program is to contribute to
the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) medicines policy
objective of improving the health status of the
Ugandan population by increasing the avail-
ability, affordability and appropriate use of es-
sential medicines and health supplies (EMHS),
including reproductive, maternal, neona-
tal, and child health (RMNCH) commodities.
USAID/ Uganda Health Supply Chain focuses
on three result areas including (1) Nation-
al policies and strategies that support cost
effective, equitable, and transparent use of
available EMHS resources (2) Strengthening
country capacity to manage and use EMHS
effectively and (3) Increasing availability
and access to EMHS for priority populations.
The Uganda Health Supply Chain operates di-
rectly in 75 districts while working through
implementing partners in 37 districts in Ugan-
da including MOH technical programs, Nation-
al Medical Stores (NMS), Joint Medical Stores
(NMS), National Drug Authority (NDA), private
sectorproviders,USgovernmentimplementing
partners,UnitedNationsorganisations,andoth-
erdevelopmentpartners.Withstrongcollabora-
tion,anumberofactivitieshavebeeneffectively
implemented and have registered a number of
achievements.ForfurtherdetailsontheUganda
Health Supply Chain’s district support contact.
About the USAID/Uganda
Health Supply Chain
B
eatrice a community
member from Kaduka
village in Kamuge
sub-county lost her
husband six year`s ago to HIV and
has been living in denial. Her only
hope was prayer from the village
pastor. By the time she met Esther
Nyende –the HEPS community
linkage facilitator, Kamuge Sub-
county coordinator, she had full
blown HIV/AIDS with sores in her
mouth and private parts. Esther
encouraged her to go and test for
HIV, talked to her about positive
living and the availability of med-
icines that can prolong her life.
Esther escorted
her to TASO
-Mbale for
v a r i o u s
tests that
were all
a l a r m i n g
including
CD4 which
was zero.
However, Beatrice Takaliis not
alone, the problem of HIV in
pallisa district is much bigger with
a prevalence rate of 5.3% (UBOS
2005/6), the HIV counseling
and testing services were poorly
utilized due to lack of community
linkage with the available health
systems and also weak referral
systems. Additionally, the failure
to follow up patients enrolled
on ART treatment and babies
born to HIV positive mothers has
contributed to poor adherence.
Esther is among the 110 com-
munity linkage facilitators trained
and mentored by HEPS-Uganda
under the performance based
grant from STAR-E to promote the
comprehensive HIV prevention,
ART adherence and EMTCT
messages.
The facilitators have been
mobilizing and giving infor-
mation to desperate com-
munity women like Beatrice
in 11 sub-counties (Kamuge,
Gogonyo, Kasodo, Okwatata,
Agule, Pallisa Rural, Pallisa
Town Council, Oloki,
Apopong, Akisim and
Chellekura in Pallisa
district targeting Most
at Risk Populations
(MARPS) mainly
fishing communities
of sub counties of
Agule, Gogonyo,
Apopongand
Kasodo.
AfterattendingtheHEStraining,
I had to translate the key HIV pre-
vention messages and pass them
on to the community members
as well as refer them to the health
facilities. Now I have the life skills.
I can communicate without any
fear and have empowered many
women in knowing their health
rights and responsibilities.” Says
Nyende Esther
In this project period the 110
community linkage facilitators
have reached over 6087 referred
for HCT services, 505 male referred
for safe circumcision, 90 HIV+
patients followed up for adher-
ence to ARVs, 1,537 mothers sup-
ported to access ANC for safe
motherhood, 60 HIV positive
mothers and their exposed
babies followed up on
adherence and retained
into care and treatment,
752 people referred for
TB screening and diag-
nosis, 8 family support
group`s capacity
enhanced in Pallisa
HC111, Kamuge
HC111, Apopong
HC111, Opwate-
ta HC11, Palisa
TC, Kasodo
HC111 and
2 new
family support groups created in
Gogonyo and Agule HC111s, 21
unique individuals followed up
on adherence, 195,321 condoms
distributed to the communities
and 34,316 people reached with
prevention messages.
“The referral system has been
working more efficiently since
the introduction of standardized
forms throughout the network.
As a result, all service providers
understand the purpose of refer-
ral forms, family support regis-
ters and how the referral system
works.” says Dr. Mulekwa
Godfrey, the DHO Pallisa district.
This has enabled community
members including women like
Beatrice to easily access
HIV/AIDS and TB
and SMC services
that have enabled
them to live a
healthier and
productive life.
Beatrice’s story of change...
Esther Nyende (L) talking to Beatrice (R) at Kaduka Village in Kamuge Sub county. Beatrice says that though HIV positive, the HEPS training has helped her
cope better. She now has life skills and can communicate without any fear and had empowered many other women. (PHOTO by Pelagia Tusiime)

8. Quarterly Newsletter
January 2015 - March 2015
ABOUT HEPS UGANDA
HEPS – Uganda is a health and human rights organization that advocates for health rights and health responsi-
bilities, with a special focus on access to essential medicines and rational use of medicines.
HEPS – Uganda focuses on addressing bottlenecks that hinder access to quality healcare for the majority of
Ugandans. HEPS believes that more preventive and curative means are paramount to good health and that they
should be designed from a health consumer’s perspective.
A just and fair society in which all Ugandans can exercise their health rights and healthy responsibilities
OUR VISION
To enable Ugandans attain equitable access to health services with emphasis an access to medicine especially on
access to medicine policy advocacy and community empowerment.
OUR MISSION
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
Objective 1: Advocate for health consumer friendly laws, policies and health packages and their implementation at
all levels in Uganda.
Objective 2: Empower health consumers in Uganda with Knowledge and skills to claim their right to health and ex
ercise their health responsibilities.
Objective 3: Strengthen the capacity of HEPS– Uganda and Civil Society partners to meet her set objectives
CONTACT USHEPS-UGANDA HEADQUARTERS, PLOT 351A, BALINTUMA ROAD– NAMIREMBE, P.O. BOX 2426, KAMPALA,
TEL: +256 414-270970, E-MAIL: info@heps.o r.ug, WEBSITE: www.heps.or.ug, FACEBOOK: HEPS-UGANDA
CONTACT US