WHO champions integration of self-care guidelines into Uganda’s community health interventions
Butebo District, Uganda. Sarah, a mother of four in Butebo district, had always relied on her local health facility for sexual and reproductive health services. During an outreach visit, a midwife introduced her to family planning self-care methods, explaining how she could safely administer injectable contraceptives at home and use a calendar method to track her fertility. She was also shown how to use a HIV self-testing kit and interpret the results.
For Sarah, this was life-changing. “I no longer have to travel long distances or wait for hours to receive basic services,” she said. “I can take care of my own health and protect my family’s future.”
Sarah began sharing these practices with her teenage daughters and other women in the community, encouraging them to seek information, use available self-care tools, and make informed choices about their health. Her small steps soon inspired neighbors, turning her home into a quiet hub of SRHR awareness.
Her story reflects a common reality in communities: when individuals become aware of their role in their own health, they not only protect themselves but also strengthen their community’s resilience.
To promote such transformative practices, the Ministry of Health, with support from the World Health Organization (WHO), convened a high-level policy dialogue in Butebo District focused on operationalizing Uganda’s national self-care guidelines. Hosted by Butebo District Local Government, the dialogue brought together senior government officials, district leaders, implementing partners, religious and cultural leaders, civil society, and youth representatives. It served as a precursor to the national commemoration of International Self-Care Day.
“Self-care means bringing health out of the hospital and into our homes and communities. It starts with simple, everyday actions—like practicing good hygiene, taking medication on time, and regularly checking your blood pressure,” said Dr. George Upenytho, Commissioner for Community Health at the Ministry of Health. “We must find ways to fully embrace and integrate these practices into how we care for ourselves and those around us.”
In recognition of the role of self-care towards advancing universal health coverage, WHO launched the first Global Guidelines on Self-Care Interventions in 2019, and subsequently broadened the guidance in 2022 to address wider aspects of health and well-being.
Uganda responded with leadership and dedication. With WHO’s technical support and the leadership of the Ministry of Health, the country developed and launched its own national self-care guidelines in October 2024—one of the first countries globally to do so. This landmark achievement was made possible through collaboration across government, civil society, academia, and development partners.
Today, Uganda’s self-care guidelines are aligned with the goal of universal health coverage and are integrated into key policy instruments. The guidelines focus on three domains: self-awareness, self-testing, and self-management. These address six priority areas: antenatal care, family planning, HIV/sexually transmitted infections, post-abortion care, and non-communicable diseases. These domains constitute some of the most important health issues affecting the population in Uganda. The adoption of the guidelines therefore demonstrates Uganda’s commitment to embedding self-care in its health system in a sustainable, people-centered way.
“By integrating self-care into district health systems, we make health services more accessible, sustainable, and responsive to people’s needs,” said Yosuf Amran, Technical Officer at WHO Uganda. “Let us make sure that the policies we have developed are translated into real change—change that touches lives in Butebo and every other district across Uganda.”
To make self-care sustainable, WHO has developed a self-care competency framework, which Uganda has adopted. The Ministry of Health is now working to integrate these competencies into the training curricula for nurses, midwives, and other frontline workers. Beyond training, there is need for a shift in mindset: health workers are not only service providers—they are coaches and partners who empower clients. A trained workforce that values self-care will improve service quality, trust, and outcomes.
As the dialogue concluded, participants expressed optimism that the discussions would lead to actionable strategies for embedding self-care into Uganda’s health system—starting with Butebo and extending to every district across the country. These actions aim to actively promote self-care at both personal and community levels through supportive mechanisms, interventions, services, and practices.