Kampala — Uganda is negotiating a $100 million (aprox. Shs192 b) loan from the World Bank to fix its dilapidated hospitals.

The money, according to State Minister for Health Emmanuel Otaala will be used in three key areas of infrastructure development.

These are constructing and fully equipping health centre IIs, IIIs and IVs, availing essential medicines and health supplies and improving human resource.

Improving health care in public hospitals is part of an ambitious master plan that the Ministry of Health recently submitted to President Yoweri Museveni.

"I think all of you can agree with me that this is the greatest commitment that this government has shown for the people of Uganda," Dr Otaala said.

Recently, President Museveni wrote to the Minister of Health, Dr Stephen Mallinga, demanding an explanation for the mismanagement of the health sector, including the persistent lack of drugs and absenteeism of health workers.

But speaking at the closing of the 14th health Joint Review Mission meeting in Kampala October 30, Dr Otaala said with better remuneration, the persistent reports of health worker absenteeism will be addressed.

The health sector had its budget increased this financial year from Shs428.3b to Shs480.5b (about 8.2 percent of the total budget), largely to address some of the challenges faced by the health sector.

However, this is still far below the 15 per cent that African countries, including Uganda, agreed to in Abuja in 2001 if the continent is to address its health problem.

Dr Otaala said the government hopes to reach the mark in 2015.