AWE and Stanbic Bank donate to Ober Health Centre IV

Lira | Ober Health Center IV is experiencing medical supply shortages, according to a health official.

The management of the upgraded health facility in Lira City West Division told tndNews that the facility’s ability to provide essential health services has been hampered by current challenges.

Dr. Richard Okii, the facility’s administrator, raised the issue on Friday at a donation event for pregnant mothers sponsored by the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) and Stanbic Bank Uganda, Lira City branch.

Dr. Okii stated that the facility is seeing a large number of patients, but the medical supplies received from the government are only enough for a standard Health Center IV.

The Ministry of Health upgraded Ober Health Center IV from Health Centre III. However, it currently employs only 16 healthcare workers. Dr. Okii pointed out that the standard staffing requirement is 49, indicating a significant human resource gap.

He also mentioned that the facility serves over 840 patients per month, including 120 pregnant women who deliver there. Because there is no theater block, thirty (30) patients are referred to Lira Regional Referral Hospital for surgical procedures, according to him.

Blessing Owomugisha Immaculate, president of AWE alumnae association,  thanked the pregnant mothers for attending the Friday event in large numbers to receive their packages and learn new skills.

Owomugisha emphasized that they provide aspiring women with the knowledge, networks, and resources needed to start and grow successful businesses.

The AWE program directly aligns with the United States National Strategy on Gender Equity and Equality by expanding women’s economic opportunities and ensuring their ability to participate in the economy.

She stated that the program”uses a hybrid model” that combines the online platform DreamBuilder, which was developed through a collaboration between Arizona State University’s Thunderbird School of Global Management and the global copper mining company Freeport-McMoRan, with in-person mentoring and facilitation.

AWE participants learn essential business skills and then meet as a class to discuss the material with experienced implementers, local mentors, and U.S. Exchange Alumni.

On a local level, AWE uses the strengths of public-private sponsors, local partnerships, and the U.S. Exchange Alumni networks to help women and their businesses grow.

An evaluation conducted in 2021 revealed that 74% of women who completed the AWE program increased their business earnings, while 29% expanded their workforce.

The AWE program promotes local prosperity in over 100 countries by providing women with the tools and confidence they need to start and grow their businesses.

Rebecca Akullu, the treasurer of AWE alumnae association, stated that the organization was founded in 2019 and is now active in several districts across the country, including Gulu and Lira in northern Uganda.

They are also available in Jinja, Mbale, and Port Portal. Since its inception, AWE has positively impacted the lives of over 3,020 people.