Abstract:
Background There is limited research on the experiences of access to medicines for non-communicable diseases
(NCDs) in health facilities among older persons in Uganda. This paper explores the perspectives of older persons and
healthcare providers concerning older persons’ access to essential medicines in Uganda.
Methods It is based on qualitative data from three districts of Hoima, Kiboga, and Busia in Uganda. Data collection
methods included seven (07) focus group discussions (FGDs) and eighteen (18) in-depth interviews with older
persons. Nine (9) key informant interviews with healthcare providers were conducted. Deductive and inductive
thematic analysis (using Health Access Livelihood Framework) was used to analyze the barriers and facilitators of
access to healthcare using QSR International NVivo software.
Results The key facilitators and barriers to access to healthcare included both health system and individual-level
factors. The facilitators of access to essential medicines included family or social support, earning some income or
Social Assistance Grants for Empowerment (SAGE) money, and knowing a healthcare provider at a health facility. The
health system barriers included the unavailability of specialized personnel, equipment, and essential medicines for
non-communicable diseases, frequent stock-outs, financial challenges, long waiting times, high costs for medicines
for NCDs, and long distances to health facilities.
Conclusion Access to essential medicines for NCDs is a critical challenge for older persons in Uganda. The Ministry
of Health should make essential drugs for NCDS to be readily available and train geriatricians to provide specialized
healthcare for older persons to reduce health inequities in old age. Social support systems need to be strengthened
to enable older persons to access healthcare.