International Society of Dermatology in the Tropics e.V.

Working Group · Uganda

Impressions of Uganda

Contact person for the working group

Dr. med. Claudia El Gammal, Siegen

Donations

Breathtaking landscapes, a rich fauna and flora and a temperate climate with alternating rainy and dry seasons characterise Uganda, the Pearl of Africa.

Sunset over a lake with islands
Green hills with fields
Hippos in the water
Antelopes in the savannah

Villages and markets line the main traffic artery in the south of the country, which runs from Kenya through Uganda to Rwanda.

Roadside market stalls with fruit and vegetables
Village street with small shops and a motorbike
Street scene with motorbikes in front of shops
Country road through green hills

Children everywhere!

Uganda has one of the youngest populations in the world; the average age is 15, life expectancy 58 years.

Children sitting on the grass
A group of children outdoors
Children in front of a house
A large group of schoolchildren in front of a building

Facts about the Ugandan health system

  • State, tax-financed health system
  • Approx. 1 doctor per 20,000 inhabitants (for comparison: in Germany 1 doctor per approx. 250 inhabitants)
  • Public health expenditure: approx. €35 per capita per year (approx. 2% of GDP) (Germany 2017: 11.5% of GDP, approx. €4,500). A further approx. 5% of GDP through private spending by citizens and private donors (NGOs).
  • Infant mortality: 8%, child mortality: 13%, birth rate: 7 per woman
  • HIV-infected: approx. 7% (according to government figures)

Photos: Dr. med. Claudia El Gammal