UNASO facilitates Community Dialogue at Ochero HC III,Kaberamaido

With financial support from UNDP, UNASO facilitated a community dialogue at Ochero Health Center III. The dialogue was a follow up on the Community Scorecard that was done in the area in 2013. The meeting was attended by community members, area leaders and health workers. Participants raised concerns about issues still challenging them;Inadequate staff housing,few staff, no room for laboratory,lack of transport means,not received Primary Health Care funds for a year,inadequate water supply, lack of beds in the general ward, lack of funds to fuel motorcycle.

Achievements

1. Two staff houses were built

2. The construction of the general ward is complete

3.Hon. Kenneth Omona donated a tri-cycle (Ajegere) to act as an ambulance

4.Home based care with support from Baylor College of Medicine

5.Communities access condoms from the Health Center and Village Health Teams

6.Safe Male Circumcision camps every month

General ward of Ochero Health Center III. Photo| Esther Namirimu

 Priest Church of Uganda, Eyimu Elijah translating from Kuman to English. Photo |Esther Namirimu

Ms. Sylvia Nakasi, Senior Policy and  Advocacy Officer of UNASO addressing participant. Photo|Esther Namirimu

Health workers were among the participants in the Community dialogue held at Ochero Health Center III.
Photo|Esther Namirimu

Patrick Ojok, working with Baylor College of Medicine at Ochero Health Center III. Photo|Esther Namirimu.

Community Health Advocates at Ochero Health Center III. Photo|Esther Namirimu

This tricycle locally nicknamed Ajegere meaning old woman is the only ambulance at Ochero Health Center III. Photo | Esther Namirimu

Old kitchen at Ochero Health Center III. Photo |Esther Namirimu

New kitchen at Ochero Health center III. Photo by Esther Namirimu

Old staff house at Ochero Health Center III. Photo | Esther Namirimu

New staff house which accommodates two health workers. Photo |Esther Namirimu

Written by Esther Namirimu | Communications Officer |UNASO

UNASO facilitates a Stakeholders dialogue in Kaberamaido

UNASO with financial support from UNDP held a stakeholders meeting to discuss issues that were raised during the Community dialogues at Ochero Health Center III and Kaberamaido Health Center IV.

Ms. Sylvia Nakasi, Senior Policy and Advocacy Officer of UNASO, informed the participants about issues affecting the quality service delivery in Ochero and Kaberamaido health center. The issues included lack of safe water, lack of transport, no Primary Health Care funds at Ochero Health Center for a year, inadequate accommodation for staff, no uniforms for health workers and sign posts at Kaberamadio health center IV, lack of beds in Ochero general ward and many others.

Ms. Sylvia Nakasi, Senior Policy and Advocacy Officer of UNASO reminding participants about the Community Scorecard that was done in 2013. Photo/Esther Namirimu

Mr. Francis Oluka, Chief Administrative Officer, said that the district leaders are doing their best to improve health service delivery in Kaberamaido; medical equipment was procured and 8 beds will be delivered to Ochero health center III in two weeks time. 

Kaberamaido Health center IV is going to be upgraded to Hospital status. The government gave the district Ugx700m to renovate and build more buildings at the facility. The facility is now fenced from the general community and more staff have been recruited.

 Mr. Francis Oluka, Chief Administrative Officer of Kaberamaido district.
Photo/Esther Namirimu

Salim Kumakech, Resident District Commissioner of Kaberamaido, said that he has been following the work done by Kaberamaido district network in the HIV response and he is proud of it.

He noted that district's prevalence is higher than the national prevalence. He appealed to concerned partners to work with government and fight HIV and AIDS.

"Health centers need to continuously support people working in ART clinics especially in Ochero, Arau and Otuboi," he added. 

Mr. Salim Kumakech, District Resident Commissioner of Kaberamaido district. Photo/Esther Namirimu

Emmy Ejuku, Deputy  Chief Administrative Officer, said that most people in Kaberamaido depend on subsistence farming and therefore there is a challenge of poverty. Young girls drop out of school at the age of 14 years and find themselves in trading centers like Otuboi selling their bodies to truck drivers.

Mr. Moses Odeke, Finance and Programme Coordinator of Kaberamaido District Network. Photo by Esther Namirimu

  

Regina Omolo- retired nurse addressing participants. Photo/Esther Namirimu

UNASO Team meeting the Chief Administrative Officer of Kaberamaido. Photo/Esther Namirimu.

Story written by Esther Namirimu | Communications Officer | UNASO