District Health Officers (DHOs) in the Kigezi sub-region have asked the government to increase investment in information and communication technology (ICT) equipment, internet connectivity and digital infrastructure to support the transition to electronic health information systems.
The DHOs said inadequate ICT facilities and unreliable connectivity are slowing the effective adoption of digital health systems, which are increasingly being used to manage patient information and improve service delivery.
The call was made during the fourth Kigezi Regional Joint Review Mission (JRM) held at Volcano Hotel in Rubanda District from September 1 to 2.
The annual meeting brings together DHOs, health facility in-charges, Health Unit Management Committee (HUMC) chairpersons, political and technical leaders, development partners, religious and cultural leaders, health workers and other stakeholders to assess the performance of the region’s health sector.
The review is focusing on key areas including immunisation, maternal and child health, HIV services, tuberculosis control, disease surveillance and access to quality healthcare.
Dr Gilbert Mateeka, the chairperson of the Kigezi Regional DHOs Forum and Kabale District Health Officer, urged health facility managers to strengthen leadership, accountability and client-centred care.
He said resources allocated to health facilities should translate into better health outcomes for communities.
Dr Mateeka urged facility in-charges and HUMC chairpersons to ensure health facilities are clean, functional, accountable and responsive to patients, while creating a conducive environment for health workers to perform their duties.
The DHOs also raised concerns over persistent challenges, including preventable maternal and neonatal deaths, adolescent health problems, malnutrition, communicable diseases and gaps in access to and quality of healthcare.
They called for stronger collaboration among political leaders, technical teams, religious and cultural leaders, development partners and communities, saying improving health outcomes requires collective responsibility.
The health managers further raised concern over inadequate wage provisions, which they said continue to affect staffing levels and the ability of districts to attract and retain health workers.
They called for increased funding for district health teams to strengthen supervision and technical support to health facilities.
On corruption, the DHOs welcomed government efforts to fight the vice but urged authorities to ensure allegations are thoroughly investigated before disciplinary action is taken.
They also called on health workers to maintain professionalism, integrity and ethical standards in their work.
The DHOs stressed that client-centred care should include respect, dignity, confidentiality, safety, compassion and timely attention to patients.
They urged health workers to avoid absenteeism, lateness, unnecessary delays and neglect of duty, saying such practices undermine public confidence in the health system.
The Joint Review Mission is also examining Uganda’s ongoing digital transformation in the health sector.
The DHOs said health facilities need adequate computers and other ICT equipment, reliable internet connectivity and appropriate infrastructure for electronic health information systems to function effectively.
They said investment in digital health should go beyond introducing electronic systems to ensuring that health workers have the equipment, connectivity and support needed to use them effectively.
The DHOs also called for strengthening the authority and appropriate positioning of DHOs to improve health governance, accountability and service delivery at district level.
Health Minister Dr Chris Baryomunsi is the chief guest at the two-day meeting.
The mission is expected to conclude with commitments and action points to address the identified challenges and improve health services across Kigezi.
Dr Mateeka urged stakeholders to move beyond reviewing past achievements and focus on what needs to be done differently to improve health outcomes.
“Together, let us make Kigezi not only one of Uganda’s most beautiful regions, but also one of its healthiest,” he said.
