Health needs and challenges of women and children in Uganda’s refugee settlements: Conceptualising a role for social work

Abstract

With 1.36 million refugees, Uganda has witnessed Africa’s highest refugee crisis and is confronted with subsequent protection and assistance demands. The Government of Uganda and its partners are trying to support refugees to overcome the associated debilitating health conditions, and it recently shot to prominence in refuge management. Despite this, there are still gaps in health service provision for refugees. This article discusses the health situation of refugee women and children living in Uganda’s refugee settlements, explores the existing health service gaps, and argues that there is a need to extend the role of social work in health services for refugees.