The exercise follows the concerns raised by the local community about the poor health service delivery at the facilities. The exercise that commenced on the 18th Jan 2024 and was supposed to end on the 23rd Jan has been extended to allow more feedback from communities.
Youth leaders in Abim district
have embarked on the health exhibition to uncover the status of health
service delivery in the district.
The exercise follows the concerns raised
by the local community about the poor health service delivery at the facilities.
The exercise that commenced on the 18th and was supposed to
end on the 23rd Jan has been extended to allow more feedback from
communities.
In recent times, the district health
department including the main hospital has come under criticism over several
persistent issues ranging from absentee health workers, especially doctors, and
drug stockouts, among others, forcing patients, especially mothers to seek
special medical attention from neighbouring hospitals like Matany and Kalongo in
Napak and Agago districts respectively.
Godfrey Omara, a resident of Abim town
council highlights that from June to August last year, the hospital was
operating with no single doctor, out of the six doctors attached to the facility.
Omara noted that mothers who needed
emergency procedures like C-sections had to contribute money to have them
referred, while others who could not afford are left stranded.
Earnest Ayen, the Abim district youth
chairperson spearheading the exhibition initiative, says the exercise aims to
uncover the rot in the district health sector.
Ayen said that the community members
are expected to raise the issues affecting health service delivery facilities.
He says during the exhibition, they
provide a particular telephone number to where people send their feedback and the respondents are kept anonymous
Ayen explains that after the
exhibition, they will document a comprehensive and evidence-based report, which
will later be presented to the relevant authorities for further action. He
notes that it is a way of encouraging citizens' participation in pertinent
issues affecting them.
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Godfrey Okello, the Abim district
secretary of health and education says the initiative is a good gesture aimed
at improving health service delivery, but advised that it should be done within
the confines of the law.
Okello said that there are challenges in
every institution but it requires a holistic approach to handle the matter at
hand. He added that the leaders should not allow the emotions to drive them out
of the path.
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Okello further acknowledges the issues
affecting the district health sector, especially absenteeism, noting that they
have so far taken disciplinary action on the rogue health workers as well as
recalling all those on study leave for realignment.
Okello noted that several health
workers are out for study leave yet the records show they left irregularly. He said
that although they allow those interested to further their studies, their
program should not interfere with the service delivery.
