Government considers putting tax exemptions on medical equipments to ensure accessibility of the orthopedic treatment in the country.

Opening the a patients’ hostel at the Comprehensive Rehabilitation Hospital along Entebbe Road, the state Minister for Primary Health Care Sarah Opendi says that such facilities need government support to scale up their services.

Opendi further noted that in addition to exempting taxes on Medical equipments, government will be offering scholarships to medical students who wish to specialize in Orthopedic.

She is optimistic that with an increased number of orthopedics and the private facilities, the problem of accessibility and affordability of surgery and rehabilitation services would be addressed.

Statistics indicate that over five million people in Uganda have a disability representing 16% of the entire population. Experts at the Kisubi based Hospital say that poverty and disability in Uganda are impossible to separate.

It is on this note that Executive Officer Comprehensive Rehabilitation Hospital Simon Bridger asked the well to do class to go the rehabilitation, surgery services to the facility instead of going for the expensive treatment abroad. Bridger also stressed that using profits from those that can afford the service the hospital then offers free services to the disabled children to ensure they fully enjoy their lives.