BUYENDE
A delegation of health facility managers from Adjumani District has commended their counterparts in Buyende for successfully integrating Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) principles into community health services.
The team of 37 health managers, representing various health centres across Adjumani, was led by Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Mr. Wambi Richard, accompanied by district health officials. The visit was part of a knowledge exchange initiative aimed at fostering improved healthcare service delivery.
The WASH project is implemented in both Buyende and Adjumani districts by WaterAid Uganda, a consortium partner under the SHARE project. Other partners include FAWE Uganda, FHI 360, and Right To Play Uganda.
During the visit, the Adjumani team toured four key health facilities: Buyende Health Centre III, Irundu Health Centre III, Kakooge Health Centre III, and Kidera Health Centre IV. A post-visit report presented during a joint stakeholders’ meeting at Century Hotels in Kamuli Municipality outlined key learnings and observations, highlighting both strengths and challenges.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Mr. Jamal Ondoga expressed that the exchange visit aimed to strengthen their capacities in improving WASH and Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) efforts. He emphasized the need to provide high-quality services, particularly to vulnerable groups such as adolescents and young women.
“As health managers, we came here to evaluate how Buyende facilities are integrating WASH into their operations, especially under the guidance of the SHARE project,” he said.
Mr. Ondoga lauded several facilities for their innovations, including improved water systems, enhanced medical waste management through source segregation and facility-based disposal, use of cleaning log sheets for tracking sanitation, and budgetary allocations for WASH improvements.
Mr. Isabirye Moses, the in-charge at Buyende Health Centre III, noted that training facilitated by WaterAid Uganda significantly uplifted their service delivery.
“Following training, we’ve installed a water system through KOICA, constructed an incinerator, established an IPC committee, and enforced the use of cleaning log sheets,” he said. “These initiatives have enabled us to offer better services to our clients.”
However, Mr. Isabirye highlighted persistent challenges such as limited financial resources, poor infrastructure, and inconsistent supply of PPE and medical waste management materials.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Wambi Richard urged both districts to put acquired knowledge into practice to improve service delivery for their communities.
“You must implement what you’ve learned so our communities can truly benefit,” he emphasized, also extending gratitude to WaterAid Uganda and consortium partners for spearheading the initiative.
This was the second exchange visit organized by WaterAid Uganda under the SHARE project, which aims to enhance healthcare services for adolescents and young women through improved water, sanitation, and hygiene practices. The first visit was held in June, when health managers from Buyende visited Adjumani.
