ToroDev held a one day orientation training of Health Center Management Committees in Kyegegwa district.

The orientation training of health centre management committees was held in two training zones one at Kyegegwa district council hall and another at Mpara sub county hall on 28^th April 2017. Facilitators included Dr. Balinda Julius (DHO) Kyegegwa district, Mr.Businge Lawrence (DHE), Mr.Kandole Tedson (ADHO) Kyegegwa and Mr. Muhumuza Edward, the district Biostatician.

The orientation training targeted all 15 health centre management members from  Kyegegwa district  at HC II’s, III’s & IV located in the 2 constituencies of Kyaka North & South  where 89 participants attended of which 33  were females while 56 were males.

David Kugonza on behalf of Torodev while giving the objectives of the orientation training said as an organization we have held baseline survey and engaged with the district health officials, district health executive and the health centre In- charges to understand the gaps that exist in the work of health centre management committees especially in planning, monitoring, lobbying & advocacy for improved health care management systems.  David Kugonza who is the  Documentation & Communications officer at ToroDev further said, as an organisation we want to transfer knowledge to HCMC members in matters of health service delivery policies, NMSDS, advocacy using ICT, (online/electronic) drug stock-outs and monitoring effective use of resources at health centres, orientation of HCMC roles & responsibilities, explaining the existing policies on Health Care delivery system in the District, Information sharing and advocacy for improved health care system, using modern and traditional tools, etc.

 

David Kugonza, ToroDev sharing with participants the role of ICT & the Citizen's Advocacy Model used by ToroDev

The knowledgeable facilitators managed to handle a number of topics including; roles & responsibilities of HCMC’s, existing health policies in Uganda, monitoring effectively, information sharing & advocacy, budgeting processes, etc.

 ‘’This is a very important training where we are talking about management of health centres/units the fact that health centre management are important people in managing health services at the health centre. Now that you will leave after knowing each other’s roles better as far as improving health services in your area, i call upon you to take the lead to mobilize citizens for improved health services’’, said Dr. Julius Balinda, the DHO Kyegegwa while sharing the status report of the health centres in the district.

Dr. Julius Balinda, DHO Kyegegwa making a presentation during the HCMC orientation training

 “The key roles of HCMC are 4 planning first for the health centre, monitoring what you planned for; monitor the performance of approved budget, reporting as another key role and advisory role’’,  Said Mr. Kandole  Tedson, the ADHO Kyegegwa district. Mr Kandole added, when it comes to reporting the member must provide correct information to the community, and to the council regarding the health facility, before you report make sure you have correct information to share.

‘’We thank ToroDev for supporting this training of HCMC’s and you as members for attending. We are here for a role as members of health center management committees we should listen and understand so that we can be able to work with technocrats, monitor health service delivery and also share information with citizens on matters related to health services if we are to have better health services as a district’’, Honourable Nimpamya Daniel, the vice district chairperson while giving opening remarks during the orientation training at Kyegegwa district council hall.

Hon. Nimpamya Daniel the vice chairperson Kyegegwa district giving opening remarks on behalf of the district chairperson during the orientation training

At the end of the orientation training some members acknowledged learning new things and pledged to implement them in order to improve services in their sub counties; ‘’This training has equipped us with knowledge and skills and we are going to work with the In- charge so that we can equitably be in position to do what we are required to perform for better improvement of our health centers’’, Said Edward Rugumayo from Wekomire health center III.

Participants committed to re-structure these health center management committees so that they can come out with potential members who can work for people. This will help to improve health services because they will have committed people to do the voluntary roles and they suggested to link up with the In- charges to know the planned targets of each health center in order to help them monitor effectively.

Mr. Bwogo August the Chairperson Board of Directors, ToroDev making sharing with participants on behalf of ED ToroDev 

They also pledged as another action point to carry out community sensitization meetings and mobilization on health indicators, monitoring of health service delivery at health centers, conducting HCMC meetings and forming whatsapp group to improve their communication levels all aimed at improving health services in the district.

We take a great opportunity to thank SIDA, NED, SPIDER, ICT4DEM, and CIPESA who have supported us financially and for the technical advice to keep our people informed.