Health

The vision of the Archdiocesan Health Department is: An improved and accessible health care system that serves the vulnerable population through a well-coordinated structure that recognizes National Health Service Delivery System.

The Department’s mission is: To build a sustainable health system that upholds the development of the people as “persons” with dignity and values, in line with the Gospel.

The goal is to provide Quality, equitable, accessible and efficient basic health care for the population we serve

i. To continue strengthening collaboration networking and information sharing with the health partners under the Archdiocese of Gulu
ii. Strengthen the effective utilization of Financial Management Guidelines and manuals that are in use both in Diocesan Health Office (DHO) and Health Units
iii. Improving on efficiency for the financial resources through the use of the financial guidelines and on equity in order to be more accessible
iv. To have increased number of people utilizing the health services by offering a variety of quality services in the diocesan health units.
v. To support and supervise the activities of the lower level units and integrated projects at Archdiocesan Levels.

1. Quarterly Support Supervision in all the accredited lower level health units in the Archdiocese, including those that are not accredited but in the process of accreditation.
2. Coordination and liaising with the District Health teams and other partners for effective health service delivery.
3. Meetings with the In-Charges and the Health Unit Management Committee (HUMC) of the Lower Level Units.
4. Collecting data from the LLUs and compiling them to be quarterly and annually submitted to UCMB (Uganda Catholic Medical Bureau).
5. Holding quarterly meeting with the Archdiocesan Health Commission
6. Holding Annual Diocesan Health Assemblies
7. To build the capacity on roles of the Diocesan Health Office and the staff of the Lower Level Units.
8. To build the capacity of the Health Unit In- charges, Management Committee, and staffs, for effective governance and management of the Units, to improve on the quality of health care services at every level
9. To facilitate strengthen the procurement of Essential Drugs and Equipments from JMS for the Lower Level Units
10. Strengthening the correct use of Health Management Information System at all levels of the Archdiocesan health units
11. Strengthening maternal health services through improvement on skills to provide EmONc (Emergency Obstetrical and Neonatal Care) services
12. Ensuring that issues pertaining the integration of Private not for profit (PNFP) and adequate functioning are addressed in district foras.
13. Capacity building for the in-service personnel as well as improving on quality through training of the cadres needed in the staffing establishment.
14. Coordination with all the health units to put priorities in improving on the four indicators (ACCESS, EQUITY, EFFICIENCY AND QUALITY) of Faithfulness to the Mission.

1. Conducted regular annual assessments on the performance of the Diocesan health Units through participatory rural appraisal exercises and also planned the development of a five year strategic plan for the department
2. Conducted one health Assembly in 2016 with Theme “Quality Improvement in Health Service Delivery in PNFP Health Facilities in Archdiocese of Gulu.” The health Assembly is a forum where recognized stake holders in health service delivery come together to express their opinions and advice the Health Board on Health related matters relevant to the Diocese.
3. Carried out regular support visits to the health units, conducting on-job trainings for the staff and also organized short courses for the staff to improve on the skills and knowledge on new emerging diseases and their management.
4. The patient Satisfaction, Drug prescription habits surveys annually were done successfully to ensure the quality of care in the Diocesan health units
5. All health units have been duly accredited by UCMB and licensed by Ministry of Health for the all period.
6. All facilities were able to make timely drug orders from JMS with more than 90{ca5687182cc41134e368c62df725900c732c8bc7a7591b5b39990f8f1d24652a} purchases of supplies and medicines with 50{ca5687182cc41134e368c62df725900c732c8bc7a7591b5b39990f8f1d24652a} PHC (Primary Health Care) fund allocations for those receiving PHC fund minimizing drug stock outs at facilities

1. The continuous lack of fund in the Archdiocesan health department for covering Administrative and operational costs.
2. Capacity gap in Lobbying and advocacy for funding for the LLHUs, is still a big challenge to the department.
3. Capacity gap in reports entry leading to inconsistency in data.
4. Reduction in Credit lines in the financial years still remain a very big challenge to ensure availability of drugs/medical supplies all the time.
5. Under staffing in some of the health facilities because of inadequate capacity to retain qualified staff on pay roll reducing efficiency and quality of services.
6. Government PHC (Primary Health Care) funding irregularities affecting performances

1. The Diocesan Health Board, Hospital BOH and Managers, In-Charges of Lower Level Health Units (LLHUs), Health Unit Management Committee (HUMC), and key stakeholders should continue to critically interest themselves in quality improvement initiative in their facilities to further improve clinical outcomes.
2. Our roles in promoting and developing quality improvement begins with creating a sustainable personal and organizational focus on the needs of internal (staff) and external customers (Clients/patients). Clear commitment to facility mission and values should be demonstrated and actively promote quality as a key theme.
3. Quality improvement initiatives that focus on the patient in health facilities of the Archdiocese must stress the focus on total person- physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and socio-economic status of the person seeking care in the facility as well as patient safety initiatives, a system that facilitate patient access to care points within the facility.
4. One of the main problems is the lack of funding to run most of our health units and therefore the Diocesan Health Board, Hospital BOH and Managers, In-Charges of LLHUs, HUMC are task with the responsibility of lobbying for fund continuously. 5. Patient’s Satisfaction survey is being annually conducted as one of the measures to improve quality of care in the Diocesan health units, and this should continue.
6. The importance of the Continuous medical Education in our health facilities should be strengthened.
7. Health Facilities to maintain good records and provide timely reports on activities carried out. Monthly, Quarterly and annually as required.
8. Continue to conduct quarterly support supervision of the health centers for on job training.
9. Ensure quarterly staff meetings are done.
10. Ensure the training of the core members of Health Unit Management Committees (HUMCs).
11. Continue lobbying and advocating for improving health units’ infrastructure.
12. Where possible refresher courses for our health staff will continue in regard to the identified gaps and weaknesses of management and clinical work in the health units.
13. Use of data based evidence for lobbying and advocacy with districts and other partners.
14. Carry out continuous data monitoring and analysis