QUESTIONS.

1. DISCUSS THE RATIONALE AND INTENTION OF THE GOAL.
2. LOCALISE THE GOAL IN RELATION TO UGANDAN CONTEXT AND DISCUSS THE SUSTAINABLE INTERVENTIONS THE COUNTRY IS IMPLEMENTING TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE ACHIEVEMENT OF THE GOAL.
3. DISCUSS THE POLICIES AND INTERVENTIONS YOU WOULD RECOMMEND AS A SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT EXPERT.

1. The Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs)  are a collection of 17(seventeen) for example No poverty, zero hunger, Good Health and well-being and many more  interlinked global goals designed to be a blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. The SDGs were set up in 2015 by the United Nations General Assembly and are intended to be achieved by the year 2030 (United Nations, 2015) They are included in a UN Resolution called the 2030 agenda.

Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3), regarding Good Health and Well-being, is one of the 17 (seventeen) Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations in 2015. The official wording is: To ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. The targets of SDG 3 cover and focus on various aspects of healthy life and healthy lifestyle, Progress towards the targets thus the outcome targets which include fight communicable diseases, reduction of maternal mortality, grant universal access to sexual and reproductive care, family planning and education, and many more (Garcia, De Nicholas, Blanco, & Fernandez, 2021)

Below are some of the aims for the formation of sustainable development goal 3  and its reasons for its existence by the United Nations agenda as seen ;

SDG 3 aims to achieve universal health coverage that seeks equitable access of healthcare services such as doctors, nurses, midwives and many more to all men and women. It proposes to end the preventable death of newborns, infants and children under five (5) (child mortality) and end epidemics (Biggeri, Clark, Ferrannini, & Mauro, 2019).

SDG 3 aims Good health is essential to sustainable development and the 2030 Agenda. It focuses on broader economic and social inequalities thus education of the population about how to live a good healthy life hence attraction urbanization leading to the development of town and cities in the region, continuing burden of HIV and other infectious diseases such as chickenpox, flu and many more not forgetting emerging challenges such as non-communicable diseases. Considering the global pandemic of COVID-19, there is a need to give significant attention towards the realization of good health and well-being on a global scale (Godinic, Obrenovic, & Khudaykulov, 2020)

SDG3 aims to  achieve universal health coverage; and reduce illnesses and deaths from hazardous chemicals forexample acids, pesticides and many more and pollution thus the induction of toxic substances into the atmosphere, it can be through air, water, on land and many more hence sdg3 helps to eliminate and sensitize the masses upon the above act hence saving the population.

SDG3 aims at reducing the maternal mortality ratio this refers to the number of women who die from pregnancy-related causes while pregnant or within 42 days of pregnancy termination per 100,000 live births (Krammer, et al., 2009). The Percentage of births attended by personnel trained to give the necessary supervision, care, and advice to women during pregnancy, labour, and the postpartum period; to conduct deliveries on their own; and to care for newborns.

The unequal status of women and girls, lack of decision-making powers, knowledge and finances remain underlying causes for the inability or delay in seeking health care which ends up increasing maternal mortality rates. Thus aims to reduce maternal mortality to less than 70 deaths per 100,000 live births. Though the maternal mortality ratio declined by 37 percent between 2000 and 2015, there were approximately 303,000 maternal deaths worldwide in 2015. The Key strategies for meeting SDG 3 will be to reduce adolescent pregnancy through achieve universal coverage of skilled birth attendants.

Furthermore sdg3 aims to  end all preventable deaths of newborns and children under five( 5) years of age, with all countries aiming to reduce neonatal mortality thus death during the  first twenty eight days to at least as low as 12 per 1,000 live births and under‑5 mortality to at least as low as 25 per 1,000 live births. Thus Under-5 mortality rate, the under-5 mortality rate measures the number of children per 1,000 live births who die before their 5th birthday. Neonatal mortality rate. The neonatal mortality rate is defined as the share of newborns per 1,000 live births in a given year who die before reaching 28 days of age.  Though neonatal mortality is decreasing, the proportion of the global under-five mortality is increasing, signaling a need to ramp up focus on antenatal care programs (Hafez, 2018).

SDG3 aims at end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases thus Number of people requiring interventions against neglected tropical disease hence proposes to end the preventable death of newborns and children under 5 and to end epidemics such as AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and water-borne diseases, for example cholera Progress children under 5,  will not meet the target to end AIDS among adolescents. Thus Similarly, progress has been made on increasing access to clean water and sanitation and on reducing malaria, tuberculosis, polio, and the spread of HIV/AIDS.

Overall, AIDS remains the leading cause of death among women aged between 15 and 49 years as approximately 1800 young people being newly infected with HIV every day. This underscores the importance of ensuring that young people can fully exercise their rights to access sexual and reproductive health and HIV information (World Health Organization, Global HIV/AIDS response, 2011).

Sdg3 aims at  reducing by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases for example cancer, diabetes and many more through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being thus Mortality rate attributed to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes or chronic respiratory disease leading to  Suicide mortality rate.

Sdg3 Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol. Leading to  Coverage of treatment interventions thus (pharmacological, psychosocial and rehabilitation and aftercare services) for substance use disorders hence Harmful use of alcohol, defined according to the national context as alcohol per capita consumption (aged 15 years and older) within a calendar year in litres of pure alcohol.

Sdg3 aims at reducing the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents, the Death rate due to road traffic injuries. Thus The need for improvements in safer infrastructure such as road, road sign posts and anymore and government regulation continues. In countries with great success, such as Sweden that boasts a 66% reduction in injury and deaths from 1990 to 2015, tough government regulation has been key^.

Sdg3 aims to  ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs thus the Percentage of married women ages 15–49 years whose need for family planning is satisfied with modern methods of contraception leading to  Adolescent birth rate (aged 10–14 years; aged 15–19 years) per 1,000 women in that age group. Half of the women in developing countries have received the health care they need, and the need for family planning is increasing exponentially as the population grows. While needs are being addressed gradually, more women have an unmet need for contraception. There is a slight increase in the proportion of women of reproductive age who were married or in-union who had access to modern family planning methods,

Sdg3 Achieves universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all. thus Proportion of population with large household expenditures on health as a share of total household expenditure or income leading to the lens of leaving no one behind, Universal Health Coverage (UHC) includes migrants and refugees, many of whom may not have legal status or are unaccounted, in financial risk protection schemes and access to equitable health services leading to Primary health care (PHC) is the most important pathway to  achieve universal health coverage (World Health Organization, Global HIV/AIDS response, 2011).

Sdg3 strengthens the implementation of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in all countries, as appropriate thus the “age-standardized prevalence of current tobacco use among persons aged 15 years and older. Leading to The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control has been ratified by 180 Parties representing 90% of the global population. More than 80% of Parties have either adopted new or strengthened their existing tobacco control laws and regulations (Johnson, Hayes, Brown, Hoo, & Ethier, 2014).

Sdg3 Support the research and development of vaccines and medicines for the communicable and non‑communicable diseases that primarily affect developing countries, provide access to affordable essential medicines and vaccines, thus Proportion of the target population covered by all vaccines included in their national program, to medical research and basic health sectors. Proportion of health facilities that have a core set of relevant essential medicines available and affordable on a sustainable basis. Hence SDG 3 aims to achieve universal health coverage, including access to essential medicines and vaccines. 2016 rates for the third dose of the pertussis vaccine (DTP3) and the first dose of the measles vaccine (MCV1) reached 86 per cent and 85 per cent, respectively.

Immunization averts an estimated 2 million-3 million deaths every year. In 2016, global coverage rates for the third dose of the diphtheria, tetanus-pertussis vaccine (DTP3) and the first dose of measles-containing vaccine (MCV1) reached 86 per cent and 85 per cent, respectively, up from 72 per cent for each in 2000. Despite this increased coverage, about 20 million children did not receive three doses of DTP and about 21 million missed the first dose of MCV.

Sdg3 Strengthen the capacity of all countries, in particular developing countries, for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks. Thus  International Health Regulations (IHR) capacity and health emergency preparedness for example the presence o0f covid -19 pandemic in the country, WHO ( World Health Organization) setup regulations such as lockdown in the countries, washing hands and many more  (World Health Organization, Global HIV/AIDS response, 2011).

Sdg3 aims at substantially increase health financing and the recruitment, development, training and retention of the health workforce in developing countries, especially in the least developed countries and Small Island developing states. Thus the Health worker density and distribution

The joint WHO( world health organization) initiative “Be Healthy Be Mobile” utilizes mobile technology to help countries combat growing burden of non-communicable diseases by bringing mobile health services to scale within national health systems and providing technical expertise on implementing mobile health interventions.

In conclusion, the sustainable development goal 3(sdg3) good health and well-being for all, whose reasons and aims are explained above, that was established by the United Nations are being adapted and framed into policies, activities and regulations by the government of Uganda through the Ministry of Health.

2. The Ministry of Health is a government body set up with the mandate of stewardship and leadership of the health sector. The Ministry of Health is responsible for policy review and development, supervision of health sector activities, formulation and dialogue with health development partners, strategic planning, setting standards and quality assurance, resource mobilization, advising other Ministries, departments and agencies on health-related matters, and ensuring quality, health equity, and fairness in contribution towards the cost of health care. Our Visionis to have a healthy and productive population that contributes to socio-economic growth and national development (Nsubuga, et al., 2018).

Ministry of Health also includes; mobilization of resources such as human resources, health infrastructure, medicines and other health supplies, health data and information. The Ministry of health handles capacity development and technical support supervision; provision of nationally coordinated services including health emergency preparedness and response, epidemic prevention and control, coordination of health research, monitoring and evaluation of the overall health sector performance.

In pursuit of the health system objectives, the Government of Uganda through the Ministry of Health ensures mechanisms that offer equity for all citizens in accessing health services for life threatening health problems, particularly to avert pregnancy and birth-related mortality and childhood killer diseases, strengthen the capacity of health facilities to improve service provision, build and expand the national health infrastructure through a medium term health facility development plan, as well as establish an appropriate and efficiently functioning referral system.

Furthermore the Ministry of Health in Uganda has achieved the sustainable development goal 3 which states good health and well being through three pillars of sustainable development thus economically, socially and environmental pillars as stated below;

Sdg 3 aims at achieving a universal health coverage thus Ministry of health through the health workforce is still a key bottleneck for the appropriate provision of health services, with challenges in adequacy of numbers and skills, plus retention, motivation, and performance challenges. Efforts by the Government of Uganda and Partners have facilitated recruitment of much-needed staff increasing the proportion of approved posts from 56% in 2010 to 69% in 2013/2014. There is improvement in recruitment of health workers, largely driven by efforts in 2012 to improve staffs at Health Centre III and IVs. There are however variations by district, facility type and by cadres. Only 45% of positions at Health Center II are filled, as compared to 70% / 71% at Health Centre II and IV respectively. The effort to improve availability of health workers at Health Centre III and IV is commendable, though it may have had the unintended consequence of reducing attraction and motivation of staff at Health Centre IIs and the general hospitals (Okwero, Tandon, Sparkes, Mclaughlin, & Hoogeveen, 2010)

Sdg3 aims at achieving  sustainable development  thus the Ministry of Health through the Government of Uganda intendeds to improve and rehabilitate the health Infrastructure comprising of  buildings  both medical & non-medical,  medical equipment, furniture and hospital plant; Communications (ICT equipment); and Ambulatory systems (ambulances, cars. pickups, vans, trucks, and many more as required for healthcare delivery at different levels). While new facilities will be constructed suchas hospitals and health centres and equipped during the implementation of the Health Strategic Development Plan priority will be given to consolidation of existing facilities, to provide facilities for them to function effectively (e.g. staff housing, water and energy, theatres, equipment, stores and many more) and required ICT and related infrastructure. The consolidation of facilities will also include the upgrading of facilities to higher level facilities specifically; the sector will aim at functionalising Health Centre IIIs in all sub-counties and piloting the establishment of Community Hospitals. In addition the sector will build capacity and mobilize resources for operation and maintenance of medical equipment.

Sdg3 aims at reducing the maternal health ratio the Ministry of health through the Government of Uganda thus sexual and reproductive health core intervention such as community mobilization of the population encouraging them to emulate child vaccination at birth forexample BCG and Polio vaccine and capacity building reproductive health at the district level and lower levels to deliver reproductive health services thus family planning services for adolescents, maternal health audits, advocacy and many more as the work for Health centers thus leading to a reduction in the mortality rate.

Further more the Ministry of Health has  achieved sdg3 whose aims is to  end all preventable deaths of newborns and children under five( 5) years of age, with all countries aiming to reduce neonatal mortality through equipping its regional referral hospitals forexample Jinja referral hospital,Masaka regional referral hospital and many others with medical equipment such as incubator machines, oxygen cylinders and many more to support the premature babies from loosing their lives after birth hence attracting the vast of the population to deliver from the regional referral hospitals.

Sdg3 aims to strengthens the implementation of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in all countries forexample in Uganda the Ministry of Health has came upon with policies such as educating the population about the dangers of tobacco in all suspected places such as clubs, bars, universities through poster displays having images and writings encouraging the people to stop the use of tobacco hence implementing the frame work of the World Health Organization.

Sdg3 aims at ending health epidemics such as HIV/AIDS, malaria and many more the Ministry of Health using its strategic investment plan has tried to end the health epidemics through the distribution of the long lasting insecticidal nets and educating the masses on how to use them as one way of preventing malaria, clearing the bushes around homes through slashing and many more.

Through schools, communities, religious leaders they have openly decampained to end the spread of HIV/AIDS thus discouraging the sharing of sharp instruments. Abstain from sex until marriage and many more (Baluku, et al., 2019).

SDG 3 aims Good health is essential to sustainable development and the 2030 Agenda. It focuses on broader economic and social inequalities the Ministry of Health in Uganda has achieved the above aim through intersectorial ministry of Gender Labour and Social development which has encouraged the education of the girl child and also shared responsibilities between women and men where women can do subsistence farming to get income and food while men go fishing, harvesting and many more respectively.

SDG3 aims to achieve universal health coverage; and reduce illnesses and deaths from hazardous chemicals most health organizations, department, ministries and many more have a health section that oversees and implements the Ministry of health objectives through encouraging proper disposal of rubbish to reduce pollution, encouraging cycling of waste forexample the landfill at Kigezi dumping site where Kampala  Capital City Authority dumps all garbage from the city and also there is an established plant that cycles plastics hence eliminating the pollution and achieving the goal.

Sdg3 aims at reducing the number of global deaths and injuries road traffic accidents, according  to daily monitor , the Ministry of health has reserved rooms for accidents victims forexample the mulago ward 3A that is known for handling accident victims and also consist of  surgeons, consultant neurosurgeons and many more and availability of the first aid kits in all health centres where a casualty is first attended to  then delivered to the regional referral hospital surgery or further medication.

Sdg3 Achieves universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines the Ministry of Health through its bodies such as National Medical Stores, National Drug Authority and many more are responsible to procure, supply of essential medicine to all government hospitals while National Drug Authority is responsible for regulating,licesing the private individuals upon the standard of medicine to distribute to the population thus achieving the aim of the united nations agenda and reason for the formation of the sustainable development goal 3 (Ongunya & Abbey, 2019).

In conclusion, the Ministry of Health in Uganda has played a big role in the achieving of the aims of the United Nations agenda and also successfully fulfilling the reasons for the sustainable development goal number three which states good health and well being for all,

3. As a sustainable development expert I would impose policies that are socially friendly to the community, economically benefit the selected sector of people and also that favour the development of the environment as listed below;

As a sustainable development expert, I would recommend programs such as the procurement and distribution of the long insecticidal nets thus which help in the reduction in the spread of malaria thus elimination of mosquito bites and transmission of the parasites hence enabling the people live a healthy life.

I would procure, distribute and maintain appropriate means of transport forexample ambulances, staff vans, Lorries and many more that will enable in the transportation of patients, medical workers, medical equipment from one place to the regional referral hospitals, health centers and many hence enabling proper service delivery.

Promoting good facilities such as the gym at work, schools, universities and many more to encourage physical exercise such as workouts, aerobics, fitness and many more to reduce on communicable diseases, reduce weight and many more hence enabling good health and well-being.

Furthermore I would improve in technology thus where by drones can be used to deliver medical supplies to distant health centers for example Kalanga , kisima island and many more so as to equip distant health facilities with medical supplies hence leading to sustainable development in the community.

The government should construct and rehabilitate both the highways and also feeders that connect communities to the health centres or hospitals to enable easy movement of health workers, patients, medical equipment and also trade thus enabling service delivery leading to improved health standards in the community.

As a sustainable development expert I would encourage health workers to form cooperatives and funded by the government with funds so as to enable the health workers purchase assets such as land, tractors and many more to enable them have a sustainable income hence improved standard of living.

Rehabilitation and construction of new structures for both the referral hospitals and also staff houses and also equipping them with a stable water and electricity so as to have a sustainable number of people in the health sector.

Furthermore I would carry out construction of workshops and also training of the medical personnel so as to keep them with skills and knowledge to enable them enhance the ability to handle and care for both patients and machinery leading to sustainable development.

As a sustainable development expert, I would encourage and enforce the promotion of personal hygiene thus washing hand regularly, bathing and also public cleanliness thus using clean and safe toilets, keeping water sources clean and many more hence leading to sustainable development.

I would improve on the hospital security through installation of the CCTV cameras, building a perimeter wall on the boundaries of both the regional referral hospitals and health centers so as to prevent encroachment on the land thus safety of the hospital equipment.

I would provide incentives such as mentorship, incentives and many more to encourage health workers upon the good work and also give them morale thus attracting more in the health sector so as to fulfill the gap of doctor to patient ratio leading to health improvement.

In conclusion, if the Ministry of Health through the Government of Uganda adopted the above policies, the health of the masses would have been improved leading to better living standards hence sustainable development.

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