When Evera Pauline started saving for health in 2023 with her Village Savings and Loans Association group in Kyotuha Village, Bweramule Sub-County in Ntoroko district, she did not only plan it for herself but also for other members of her household, especially her children. She knows that as head of the household, it is her responsibility to ensure that her family members are healthy and receive proper medication whenever they get ill.  

Evera’s health fund indeed came in handy when her son became ill in May 2024. She did not worry so much about the medical bills after taking him to a private health facility, Masindi Medical Center in Bweramule Sub-County, Ntoroko district.  “I had to first rush him to the health facility before calling our group chairperson to borrow money”, said Pauline.  

After the group chairperson, Mukume Robert, considered her request, 250,000 UGX was deposited in her mobile money account, as requested. “The borrowing process from my experience was very easy and our group leaders are supportive as well”, she said. Evera did not have to incur more transport to physically come to pick the money from the group chairperson.  

Had she not saved for health, Evera said that, as usual, she would have considered the possibility of borrowing from her neighbours which also comes with a lot of uncertainty. “Just like myself, people do not have money every time. Getting a loan from neighbours or friends is always a matter of chance”, she said.  

Evera said that previously when a person in the family fell sick, and the medical bill can not be settled easily, they would sell a goat or cow to meet the cost. A practice she said robs her family of the productive assets that could have the family at a later time.  

As a businesswoman, dealing in selling fish and crop produce, Evera saves between 2,000 to 5,000 UGX weekly for health in Kyotuha Village Savings and Loans Association (VSLA) group. To date, she has saved a total of 690,000 UGX.  

After borrowing from the group, she has fully repaid her loan. “The saving for health money supports all of us group members during medical emergencies. I am glad that I did not delay with loan the repayment so that other members can also borrow in case the need arises.” She added.  

As part of her plans, Evera intends to set her weekly saving for health amount to 5,000 UGX or more. She also plans to encourage other women in her business circle to join saving for health to benefit from the initiative. She hopes that one day, some of them if not all can consider her encouragement.