LIRA – The United States government and the Government of Uganda launched a new five-year, $32.8 million (Shs120 billion) programme that will provide better health services to nine districts in the Lango sub region of Northern Uganda.
The USAID Regional Health Integration to Enhance Services in Northern Uganda programme is projected to cover the region’s estimated population of 2.3 million people living across the nine northern districts. It will focus on maternal and neonatal child health, family planning, HIV/AIDS, TB, malaria, nutrition, water, sanitation, and hygiene.
The programme launch took place at the Pauline hotel in Lira District and was attended by USAID Uganda’s Mission Director, Joakim Parker and the Commissioner of the National Disease Control Department in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Patrick Tusiime. USAID Mission Director Mr. Parker said: “Whether it is controlling the spread of HIV, ensuring that new mothers and babies receive proper healthcare, or 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.”
This programme will enhance health by increasing districts’ capacity to apply proven best practices and services to all the citizens in the districts of Alebtong, Amolatar, Apac, Lira, Oyam, Dokolo, Kole, Otuke, and Kwania. It will also promote the adoption of healthy behaviors by raising awareness at the individual, provider, and community levels of the importance of reducing delays in seeking care and lower sociocultural barriers to service uptake.
This district-led partnership will increase health care provider availability and expand service delivery and quality. By leveraging and linking resources, the program will improve commodity access, promote effective operation and maintenance of infrastructure and equipment, and improve management and governance of health services.
The USAID programme will work with the Ministry of Health, local institutions, and communities to design and implement health system strengthening strategies to scale up high-impact, evidence-based interventions at the national, sub-regional, district, and community levels.
The U.S. government remains committed to helping all Ugandans maintain a healthy, prosperous, and stable country, providing over $971.3 million in foreign assistance to Uganda in the last year alone.
