1. Assessment of the Extent to which Resources Allocated to the Health Sector Affect Access to Medicines in Uganda

2. Project rationale; Uganda is a low income country with a GDP per capita of US $ 430 and 31% of the population leaves below the poverty line. Demand for Essential Medicines and Health Supplies far exceeds supply. Less than half of the population obtains their medicines in the public sector HSSP III has prioritised increase in access to medicines and other health supplies. The National Medical Stores (NMS) is to be strengthening during the implementation of HSSP III. This is guided by the National Pharmaceutical Sector Strategic Plan (NPSSP II). Glaring infrastructural and human resource constraints exist: –Limited monitoring and supervision, poor record management, infrastructural challenges in transport, communication and access to basic utilities at health centres UNHCO and HEPS will assess the extent to which resources allocated to the health sector affect delivery of medicines Performance Indicators Needs Analysis Consultation Internal & External Environment

3. Proposed methods; Qualitative Service Delivery Survey (QSDS) tool Qualitative approaches include in-depth interviews; Key informant interviews and exit interviews with patients. The methodology measures the quality of health service delivery with various dimensions. The quantitative methods include; semi- structured questionnaires, document review and analysis of budgets allocations The sample population shall be drawn from both national and district level 30 public health facilities shall be randomly sampled from each of the two districts.

4. Research questions; The study will examine budgeting process, budgets, allocations, and actual deliveries from records at health facility level It will also examines other components/pillars of the health system that enable effective delivery of medicines

5. Long-term objectives. Improve the effectiveness of public spending on health and in particular medicines, so that government resources are reaching and improving the lives of those who need those most. Consolidate, strengthen and ensure an effective and harmonized procurement and supplies management system for medicines

6. Agaba Aziz Kibira Denis Opio Geoffrey Atim