Strengthening Community Health: UNICEF and Ministry of Health Urge Mukono Teams to Collaborate with Local Stakeholders.

Mukono District Headquarters:

In a collaborative effort to improve health outcomes at the grassroots level, United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), in partnership with the Ministry of Health and the Mukono District Local Government, has launched a two-day training aimed at strengthening the implementation of Community Health Services (CHS) across the district.

The training was being held at the Mukono District Headquarters CAO Boardroom. It has drawn participation from Village Health Teams (VHTs), health facility in-charges, and District Health Team (DHT) members from across the district. The primary goal is to equip these frontline health workers with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively implement the National Community Health Strategy (NCHS).

Facilitators emphasized the importance of community health in driving national development, noting that many of the illnesses that burden local health facilities are preventable. They urged health workers to prioritize disease prevention through community sensitization and engagement, stressing that empowering residents with health knowledge leads to healthier and more productive communities.

Participants were also encouraged to address community health challenges collaboratively by working closely with local stakeholders. The facilitators underlined the critical role of the private sector, especially in tackling self-medication and promoting healthy behavior change. The training encouraged private actors to support government-led health initiatives for better community outcomes.

The sessions further focused on building the capacity of VHTs to deliver services effectively. Recommendations included the need for improved facilitation, sustainable financing, and the consistent availability of essential medicines and commodities. District officials were also tasked with standardizing the recruitment, training, deployment, and supervision of Community Health Workers (CHWs), while ensuring timely updates to the national CHW register and maintaining regular review meetings.

Key topics discussed included the integration of community health into broader development programs, the promotion of hygiene and health education, and the expansion of coverage for essential services. The expected impact includes reduced disease incidence, improved well-being, and greater efficiency in the use of health resources.

Dr. Stephen Mulindwa, the Mukono District Health Officer, applauded the high level of participation and commitment displayed by attendees. He encouraged all health workers to regularly update their Annual Performance Log (APL) and complete balance scorecards to ensure timely payments, especially during the suspension of the District Service Commission.
The training was lauded as a timely intervention that lays a firm foundation for improved community health delivery in Mukono District. Facilitators expressed optimism that the knowledge and strategies shared will translate into tangible improvements in health service delivery. As the training concludes, it is hoped that empowered health teams will spearhead a transformation in community health—ensuring that every resident of Mukono can access quality, integrated, and equitable healthcare services at the community level.