Busoga, Uganda, 13 August 2024 – The Ministry of Health (MoH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have launched a refurbishment of 28 health facilities in Uganda’s Busoga sub-region. This initiative, which is a crucial step in service delivery is with the financial backing of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).

The refurbishment is part of a five-year project titled Health System Strengthening for Improving Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, Child, and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) Service Delivery in the Busoga Sub-Region. Launched in 2021, the RMNCAH project is a concerted effort to end preventable maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent deaths across the country. The project is being implemented in Bugiri, Mayuge, Iganga, Kamuli, and Buyende districts.

The inauguration ceremony, held at Baitambogwe Health Center III in Mayuge District, was graced by the Commissioner for Reproductive, Maternal and Child Health at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Richard Mugahi who underscored the significance of the project to Uganda’s healthcare system. “This refurbishment is a pivotal part of our ongoing efforts to ensure that every individual in the Busoga sub-region has access to quality healthcare, thereby reducing preventable maternal and newborn deaths,” he noted.

Dr. Mugahi extended his appreciation to WHO, KOICA, and the district officials for their unwavering commitment to improving health infrastructure in the region.

Ms. Oh Sangeun, the Deputy Country Director for KOICA Uganda, reaffirmed her country’s dedication to supporting Uganda’s healthcare advancement. “The Republic of Korea, through KOICA, remains steadfast in collaborating with essential partners such as WHO to aid Uganda in its quest to reduce maternal, infant, and child mortality and to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030,” she said.

Present at the ceremony was Dr. Kurabachew Alemu, the WHO Medical Officer for Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health, who emphasized WHO’s dedication to strengthening health systems in the sub-region. “Through the RMNCAH project, we are committed to bolstering health infrastructure and enhancing the capacity of district health systems to address the reproductive, maternal, neonatal, child, and adolescent health needs in Busoga,” Dr. Alemu noted. He added that the renovations align with WHO’s broader efforts to support Uganda’s journey towards Universal Health Coverage.

In January 2023, WHO and the Ministry of Health conducted a comprehensive assessment of 30 health facilities in the Busoga sub-region. The findings revealed that 28 facilities required significant renovations and expansions to serve the local population adequately.

The refurbishment efforts will focus on critical areas such as maternity and children’s wards, outpatient departments, expanding existing laboratories, and enhancing antenatal care clinics. Additionally, a new rainwater harvesting system will be installed at all refurbished health facilities.  Selected facilities will receive a motorized water system to further manage water stress within the facilities.

Since its inception, the project has made remarkable progress. Over 100 lives are saved monthly through emergency referrals facilitated by seven Type B Toyota Land Cruiser ambulances procured for the region. Furthermore, more than 1,500 health workers have received training and mentorship in essential health services, including pregnancy care, childbirth, newborn care, family planning, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and emergency obstetric and newborn care.

By December 2024, the RMNCAH project is expected to have a profound impact, benefiting 560,809 pregnant women, 499,852 newborns, 349,327 school-aged adolescents (10–19 years), and 687 teachers across both primary and secondary schools in the Busoga sub-region. However, more pregnant women, newborns and adolescent girls are expected to continue benefiting from this investment.