Medics in 16 districts improve timekeeping
Progress. Patients wait to be attended to at the outpatient department at Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital in Kabarole District recently. The district is one of those that have recorded improved arrival time for health workers and better service delivery. PHOTO BY ALEX ASHABA
What you need to know:
- The study comes at a time when the health sector is grappling with high levels of late arrivals and absenteeism of health workers, making worse long waiting hours for patients.
KAMPALA. A total of 16 districts in Eastern and Rwenzori regions have recorded improved arrival time for health workers and have also cut waiting hours for patients to be attended to at health units.
A three-year study conducted by Baylor- Uganda in the 16 districts between 2012 and 2018 indicates that training health workers in leadership skills involving communication, teamwork, and time management can improve the quality of service delivery in the health sector.
The Caring Together Project study in the 16 districts of Eastern and Rwenzori regions registered a 7 per cent reduction in late coming by health workers from 27 per cent to 20 per cent at 270 health facilities.
By the end of the project, the number of waiting hours by patients had also improved from 61 minutes to 35 per cent as patients who acknowledged receiving quality services increased from 80 per cent to 95 per cent.
The beneficiary districts include Kabarole, Kyegegwa, Kasese, Kyenjojo, Kamwenge, Budibujo, Ntoroko and Kabarole in the Rwenzori Sub-region. Others in Eastern Uganda are Amuria, Serere, Kumi, Ngora, Soroti, Katakwi, Kaberamaido, and Bukedea.
Dr Addy Kekitiinwa, the executive director of Baylor-Uganda, said the initiative is aimed at empowering frontline health workers and all support staff who are critical to the successful running of health facilities.
She was speaking yesterday at the opening of a two-day international summit on leadership where the findings were disseminated.
“Caring Together recognises that everyone is capable of being a leader, no matter their cadre, and that each individual should take ownership of the care that they provide.
This creates a culture of responsibility and accountability at all levels,” Dr Kekitiinwa said.
Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda, who opened the summit, said the findings are a testimony that once the available resources are put to optimal use, there can be improved service delivery.
“If we capitalise on resources already within the facilities and bring out the full potential of individuals, this model should be easy to replicate throughout the healthcare system in Uganda,” Dr Rugunda said.
The study comes at a time when the health sector is grappling with high levels of late arrivals and absenteeism of health workers, making worse long waiting hours for patients.
Late coming: Caring Together Project study registered a 7 per cent reduction in late coming by health workers from 27 per cent to 20 per cent at 270 health facilities.
Waiting hours: By the end of the project, the number of waiting hours by patients had also improved from 61 minutes to 35 per cent.
Services: Patients who acknowledged receiving quality services increased from 80 per cent to 95 per cent.
