The Belgian government has suspended 11 million Euros’ worth of aid to Uganda.
This follows Uganda’s plans to send 300 workers to Trinidad and Tobago in return for help to cash in oil exploration.
The announcement was made by the Belgian International Development minister Mr Alexander De Croo who expressed furry over Uganda’s plan to send health workers to another country while Uganda itself is facing a shortage of health workers.
Mr Alexander De Croo made the announcement over the weekend.
However reports indicate that the government is reconsidering its plan send it’s health workers abroad. This is after the announcement to cut aid to Uganda’s health sector.
Between 2009-2016, the Belgian government gave Uganda a total of 128 million Euros in aid while 16 million Euros is set aside for Uganda’s struggling health sector.
Despite receiving financial support from donors, including Belgium, Uganda continues to struggle with a shortage of medical staff. In Uganda, there is one doctor per 15,000 head of population, while the World Health Organization requirement is one doctor per 1,500 people.
