Legislators Push for Health Insurance Cover to Ease Care for Older Persons

**KAMPALA, Uganda:** Sironko District Woman MP Asha Mafabi moved the motion on Tuesday, 18 August 2026, amid concerns that older persons are struggling to access specialised healthcare, social protection and money meant to support them.

She urged government to introduce a health insurance scheme targeting older persons, enabling them to access essential medicines, diagnostic services and treatment for age-related and chronic conditions free of charge or at an affordable cost. The motion noted that Uganda has more than 1.4 million people aged 60 and above, many of whom face conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, cancer and dementia.

The motion also calls for stronger community and home-based healthcare, dedicated geriatric units in regional referral hospitals, training of health workers in geriatric medicine, and quarterly health check-ups for older persons. MPs said most older persons live in rural areas, lack health insurance and struggle to access specialised care, essential medicines, diagnostics, assistive devices and affordable transport to health facilities.

One legislator said about 30% of the Shs35,000 monthly SAGE grant goes towards medical care, and proposed that Shs5,000 could be set aside for health insurance if a scheme for older persons is adopted.

Jane Ruth Aceng said geriatric care has already been incorporated into the National Development Plan IV, including provisions for training doctors and nurses. She also cautioned against a scheme exclusively for older persons, arguing that a national scheme based on solidarity would provide better protection.

Source DAILY MONITOR