Researchers from Uganda Christian University and Lehigh University in USA have made various recommendations aimed at enhancing short term medical missions-STMMs (medical volunteers) in the country including adaptation of a clear legal framework.
A team of researchers headed by Dr. Emilly Comfort Maractho, together with Judith Lasker, Sirry Alang and Kelly Austin from Lehigh University conducted a research dubbed ‘Enhancing value of short term volunteer missions in health from host country perspective’.
The study indicates the importance of volunteers especially in needy communities but sometimes practice unmonitored yet they are not regulated.
It was conducted from ten districts across the four regions in Uganda where 49 respondents were interviewed.
STMMs are valuable but associated with challenges such as lack of long term global health experience, volunteers practicing beyond their experience while others lack preparation and training which results in medical errors, cultural insensitivity and non-alignment with local systems and priorities.
The study indicates that Uganda has a piecemeal approach to licensing and accreditation of volunteers leaving several institutions such as National Drug Authority, Medical and Dental Practitioner’s Council among others to clear different aspects of volunteer activities.
“…there is a need to set conditions specifically for STMMs by way of setting up appropriate legal, policy, regulatory, institutional and ethical code of conduct. These should form an effective guideline for the country that then is popularized and adopted by actors.” The paper reads in parts.
The research also recommends dissemination of the developed legal framework, promotion of genuine collaboration between hosts and sending countries in a reciprocal manner for both actors. Besides, highlighting some of the contributions on both sides.
Dr. Maractho estimates that short term medical missions involve 1.6 million volunteers who spend about US Dollars 2-3 billion annually. According to the study, 46 percent come from America, 36 percent from Europe, 13 percent Asia and 5percent from other continents.
Professor Elizabeth Kukunda Bacwayo, the head of UCU graduate school wonders how incompetent volunteers end up coming into the country and are left practice unregulated and monitored health activities.
The research indicates that several volunteers come to Uganda as tourists and then end up connecting with various community based organizations and other organizations at national level to volunteer services.
Christian Achemah, indicates that where there are regulations, it becomes hard to respect the culture of the place. According to him, help should be in accordance with the perception of the needy people.
Nevertheless, Dr. David Mugawe, the UCU Vice Chancellor in charge of finance and administration appreciates the brains behind the paper saying once the government gives it due attention, the volunteer system will continue to improve health services in the country.
In places where short term medical missions have helped, there has been closing of several gaps in shortage of number of health workers, attrition and inadequate resources such as equipment in facilities.
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