HEPS-Uganda is a Health Consumers’ Organisation advocating for health rights and responsibilities. The organisation is a coalition of health consumers, health advocates, health practitioners, Civil Society Organisations and Community Based Organisations.

HEPS-Uganda was established as a not-for profit-organisation in 1999 out of concern for the lack of attention for health consumers in the country. HEPS stated its founding mission and guiding principles in the first strategic planning meeting in 2000. An office with a functional secretariat was opened in the same year. Initially, HEPS focused solely on Health Policy Advocacy. Subsequently, after conducting several advocacy activities on its own, the organisation started the Ugandan Coalition for Access to Essential Medicines in 2002. Members of the coalition include mainly national and international health CSOs and NGOs. The purpose of the coalition is to advocate for better healthcare through combined efforts. To this end, HEPS and the coalition started a constructive dialogue with the government of Uganda, (the Ministry of Health)

Registered as an NGO in November 2000, the Coalition for Health promotion and Social Development (HEPS– Uganda) is a health and human rights organization that advocates   for health rights and health responsibilities of Ugandans especially giving voice to the poor and vulnerable men, women, children, elderly etc.

HEPS Uganda has a special focus on working to increase access to essential medicines and rational use of medicines. HEPS Uganda works at national/ local government and at community level to reach out to the most vulnerable people in society.

Currently HEPS Uganda is operating in 16 Districts across Uganda implementing several social accountability projects for better health. Read more about out current and previous interventions

VISION

A just and fair society in which all Ugandans (irrespective of gender, age, religion, physical well-being or socio-economic status) can exercise their health rights and health responsibilities.

MISSION

To ensure equitable access to health services with special focus on access to essential medicines through  empowering communities and health policy advocacy for a health system that meets the needs of Ugandans.

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 exercise their health responsibilities

Objective 3
Strengthen the capacity of HEPS-Uganda and civil society partners to meet her set objectives