What is Self-Care?
Self-care is the ability of individuals, families, and communities to promote their own health, prevent disease, maintain well-being, and cope with illness and disability, with or without the support of a health worker.
- World Health Organisation
Self-care empowers people to take charge of their health by making informed choices and accessing essential health services. Self-care does not replace the health care system but complements it, providing additional options for health care.
The Ministry of Health in collaboration with various partners is spearheading a drive to educate the population on Self-care. You can find out more about these partners through this site.
Uganda’s Definition of Self-Care
In Uganda, self-care has deep roots. It is an age-old practice where people have provided themselves with information, products, or services to maintain, preserve, and promote their health and well-being. Over the years, new products, technology, and interventions have expanded the application of self-care, beyond the traditional well known definition of self-care including self-test for pregnancy and the use of self-injectable contraceptives. All these developments in self-care were in practice before global guidelines were in place.
What Self-Care Means in Uganda:
Self-care plays a crucial role in Uganda’s health system. As our healthcare systems face increasing burdens, self-care offers a way to improve access to essential services. Here’s why self-care matters for Uganda:
- Reducing Pressure on the Health System: By empowering individuals to manage their health, self-care helps reduce the strain on clinics and hospitals. According to the WHO, through self-care, providers will be able to prioritize critical cases while ensuring others can still access quality care.
- Community Acceptance and Awareness: Through initiatives like the Self-Care Expert Group (SCEG) and the Multi-sectoral Sub-Committee, we aim to increase awareness of self-care concepts. There is a direct link between community uptake of self-care and the achievement of universal health coverage.
- Integration with Governance: Integrating self-care interventions into the national governance structures ensures that they align with national health policies. As guided by the World Health Organisation, this approach will enhance autonomy, confidentiality, and decision-making for individuals, in particular vulnerable populations such as youth.
Why Should You Take an Interest?
Self-care empowers you to:
- Be Proactive: Learn about preventive measures, manage your health, and make informed choices.
- Reduce Dependency: Self-care reduces reliance on facility-based services, freeing up resources for critical cases.
- Promote Well-Being: By practicing self-care, you contribute to a healthier Uganda and more productive human capital availability for the growth of the nation.
Explore this Self-Care Portal to discover resources, tips, and tools for better health. Together, let’s embrace self-care and build a stronger, healthier nation.