Uganda, Feb. 25 -- The Uganda Medical Association (UMA) has said reducing approvals for government officials to be treated abroad would significantly improve the country's health system.

Speaking to journalists on Sunday in Kampala, Dr Herbert Luswata, the president of UMA, argued that the country already has some facilities and doctors who can handle complicated medical conditions.

"This thing of "I will get healthcare from outside Uganda easily" is why the healthcare system is not a big priority to them [government officials]. So we need to cut this one [medical tourism] down," he said.

"We need to strengthen the policy on which a government official is supposed to receive medical care from outside Uganda through the medical board. I...