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BUILDING DISRICTS CAPACITY IN BASIC
DATA ANALYSIS AND UTILIZATION
Makerere University is carrying out a program
to strengthen the decentralization process in Uganda under the I@Mak.com
grant financed by the Rockefeller Foundation. The program primarily
aims to strengthen capacity in the districts so that devolution of responsibilities
and powers to the districts can be smooth and effective.
The Child Health and Development Centre
is a beneficiary of the I@Mak.com process and is carrying out a projects
entitled, "District capacity for Management of Key Indicators
of Change in the Health Care Delivery System: Building for Basic Data
Analysis and Utilization". The project is being implemented
in collaboration with the Ministry of Health.
Health data management is currently a weak
part of the health sector in the entire Ugandan district. The project
therefore is aimed at developing a computerized health data management
information system in each of the program districts and to promote the
Utilization of HMIS for improved planning and decision making. The CHDC
in collaboration with the Ministry of Health addressed some of these
problems by improving the quality of information collected at a health
facility, developing and operationalizing a computerized HMIS database
and promoting the use of information obtained from the system. The project
was piloted in Mukono and Apac districts and is now at full implementation
stage in Bushenyi, Gulu, and Mbale Districts. After this phase a strategy
in collaboration with the MoH will be devised to disseminate the HMIS
computerized system national wide. The project is being coordinated
by Mr. Kalyowa Fred, and Mr. John Baptist Lwanga who have carried out
a similar program under the TORCH Project for Busia and Tororo District.
For more information
Contact:
Dr. Jessica Jitta at: Jitta@chdc-muk.com
Mr. Kalyowa Fred at: Kalyowa@chdc-muk.com
Mr. John Baptist Lwanga at: jb@chdc-muk.com
FEASIBILITY & PILOT ACTIVITIES FOR
STRENGTHENING OF HEALTH SYSTEMS RESEARCH CAPABILITY AND SKILLS IN DISTRICTS.
One of the most pressing challenges faced
by local governments in human resource development within their decentralized
systems (districts, sub-counties) is lack of capacity for research,
and the ability to utilize data for rational planning and implementation
of programmes. Research has hitherto been regarded as a recluse activity
of the university and other scientific bodies. However, experience has
shown that through the application of hands-on skills in health systems
research and participatory training methodologies, it is possible to
create capacity and awareness, as well as demand for applied research
for development, among management and operational staff in the districts.
These skills will form part of their tools for problem solving and decision-making
in their day-to-day work, from a decentralized perspective.
Operational research is essential for improving
the performance of health and related service providers, in management
and delivery of health services. Simple operational research can provide
answers to some of the issues and problems constraining the provision
of services, in addition to identifying health needs as a basis for
planning and implementation of identified interventions. In realization
of this real need to develop capacities in the districts - based on
our experience in interacting with a number of districts - the Child
Health and Development Centre seeks to develop the capacity for operational
research in a number of districts, targeting mid-level managers and
operational-level multidisciplinary staff. The justification for targeting
these levels of staff is on the basis that a lot of health problems
can be solved by timely interventions at the workplace, and the best
people to do that are those on the ground.
The experiential nature of the course allows for
trainee researchers to carry out their studies as part of their routine
activities during the course of the work. This aspect provides the middle
and lower levels of health care managers and providers with skills for
investigating and solving their most pertinent and pressing problems
as they go along. The 'learning by doing' strengthens the capacity to
be more effective in their field practice, based on local needs and
challenges, and offering solutions and realities 'on the ground' rather
than from outside. During the process, researchers are encouraged to
examine and include in their analysis all aspects of a problem, and
issues that influence it; and to translate findings into action with
the stakeholders, including the local community.
The feasibility study (4 districts) and pilot activities (2 districts)
have given us a number of insights that have fed into proposing the
direction of activities during the implementation phase. We have tried
to reflect some of these insights in form of lessons learnt, as well
as incorporating them as solutions or way forward. Among the lessons
learnt, it has been clearly shown that the experiential 'Learning by
doing' course in health systems research for districts is well suited
to the needs of the districts, and has afforded the trainees a lasting
experience in carrying out research in a more user-friendly way. The
hands-on experience allows trainees to appreciate the use of tools of
different kinds cost-effectively, including use of computer programmes
that are easily followed; as well regular supervision in the field.
Other include Dr. J. Jitta Director/Technical Advisor;
Dr. F. Kaharuza, T/Advisor
Key facilitators include Dr. S. Sebudde, Dr. F. Nangendo, J. B. Lwanga,
I. Lyazi, as well as the DDHS of the districts and other local resource
persons.
For more information, contact:
John Arube-Wani
Principal Facilitator/Team Leader
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