The five year healthcare program is worth approximately Uganda shillings 121,360,000,000.00 [One Hundred Twenty One Billion Three Hundred Sixty Million Shillings Only].
Youngest district, Kwania is among other eight districts in Lango sub-region to benefit from recently launched Regional Health Program to Improve Health System in Uganda [RHPIHSU].
The United States of America government through its representative in Uganda announced this during the launch at Pauline Hotel in Lira on Thursday.
“Today, the United States government and government of Uganda launched new five year, $32.8 million program that will provide better health services to nine districts in Lango sub-region of northern Uganda.
The USAID Regional Health Integration to Enhance Services in Northern Uganda Program is projected to cover the region’s estimated population of 2.3 million people living across the nine districts. It will focus on maternal and neonatal child health, family planning, HIV/AIDs, TB, malaria, nutrition, water, sanitation, and hygiene,” a press statement from the American government reads in part.
At the launch, USAID Uganda’s Mission Director, Joakim Parker and the Commissioner of the National Disease Control Department in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Patrick Tusiime represented governments of America and Uganda respectively.
Joakim Parker assured Ugandans of the U.S government’s commitment in ensuring quality healthcare for Ugandans.
“Whether it’s controlling the spread of HIV, ensuring that new mothers and babies receive proper healthcare, or by building stronger and more effective health systems, the United States invests in Uganda to see its people live up to their full potential. The health and well-being of a country’s population are key to generating prosperity and progress,” Parker said.
The five year program will boost health system by increasing districts’ capacity to apply proven best practices and services to all citizens in Alebtong, Amolatar, Apac, Lira, Oyam, Dokolo, Kole, Otuke and Kwania districts.
It will also promote the adoption of healthy behaviors by raising awareness at the individual, provider, and community levels of the significance of reducing delays in seeking care and lower socio-cultural barriers to service uptake.
The program is also expected to promote a district-led partnership to increase healthcare provider availability and expand service delivery and quality.
By leveraging and linking resources, the five year program will improve commodity access, promote effective operation and maintenance of infrastructure and equipment, and improve management and governance of health services.
For best outcome, the USAID Program will work with Uganda’s Health Ministry, local institutions, and communities to design and implement heath system strengthening strategies to scale up high-impact, evidence based interventions at the national level, sub-regional, district, and community levels.
Last year [fiscal year], U.S. government gave in foreign aid to Uganda $971.3 million, about Uganda shillings 3,593,810,000,000.00 [Three Trillion Five Hundred Ninety Three Billion Eight Hundred Ten Million Shillings Only] with promise to remain committed for a healthy, prosperous and stable Uganda.