Health Department
The health department of Church of Uganda soroti diocese is one of the department that is charged with the mandate of overseeing diocesan founded health faculties across the diocese Currently, the department oversees a total of 12 health faculties which includes 10 church founded health facilities and 2 affiliated health faculties as shown in the table below.
| No. | Health Facility | Level of Care | District | Archdeaconry | Parish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | ST PETER’S COU H/C II | 2 | SOROTI | SOROTI | CATHEDRAL |
| 2. | KATETA COU H/C II | 2 | SERERE | SERERE | KATETA |
| 3. | MIRIA COU H/C II | 2 | SERERE | SERERE | SERERE |
| 4. | KATAKWI COU H/C II | 2 | KATAKWI | USUK | USUK |
| 5. | NGARIAM COU H/C II | 2 | KATAKWI | USUK | USUK |
| 6. | OTUBOI COU H/C II | 2 | KALAKI | KALAKI | OTUBOI |
| 7. | BULULU COU H/C II | 2 | KALAKI | KALAKI | BULULU |
| 8. | KABERAMAIDO COU H/CII | 2 | KABERAMAIDO | KABERAMAIDO | KABERAMAIDO |
| 9. | AMURIA COU H/C II | 2 | AMURIA | AMURIA | AMURIA |
| 10. | ABEKO COU H/C II | 2 | AMURIA | AMURIA | OCAO |
| 11. | JORDAN MEDICARE CENTRE | 3 | SERERE | SERERE | OJETAJANG |
| 12. | JADAKUN HEALTH CENTRE III | 3 | AMURIA | AMURIA | ORUNGO |
The facilities are registered under one umbrella organisation called Uganda Protestant Medical Beaurau (UPMB) which links the faculties to the ministry of health Eight of the twelve faculties receive government funding in form of PHC (Primary Health Care) grants which help in procurement of supplies and daily running of the faculties but are strictly non-wage The department is headed by the Diocesan Health Coordinator (DHC) and directly supervised by the Diocesan Secretary. The Board of Health which is chaired by a competent health professional oversees the running of the department and advises on the strategies implemented by the department.
Our partners
| PARTNER | FORM OF PARTNERSHIP |
|---|---|
| Joint Medical Stores | Provision of medicines in form of grants and donations |
| UPMB | Link between faculties and donor including Government of Uganda |
| TASO SORP | Strengthening provision of ART and HIV care in rural communities |
| JOCS under UPMB | Provision of in-service training for capacity development |
| One Day Health | Establishment of health facilities in rural communities |
Human Resource
| Cadre | Number |
|---|---|
| Medical officers | 01 |
| Clinical officers | 02 |
| Enrolled nurses | 16 |
| Enrolled midwives | 08 |
| Lab Assistants | 06 |
| Total | 33 |
Major Activities
- Support supervision of Diocesan health facilities
- Capacity development through scholarships
- Improve coordination with local government authorities
- Resource mobilization
- Ensuring quality health care is provided in rural communities
- Outreaches and medical camps
Objectives of the health department
To witness for Jesus Christ in word and deed by preventing disease, caring for the sick, the poor, and the most vulnerable with a loving approach, and promoting the wholeness of persons and communities
To promote, support, and strengthen the role of churches and congregations as centers of health and healing
To promote faith healing through intercessory prayer and energize congregations to intercede on behalf of the sick
To promote justice and equity in health care especially among the poor, vulnerable, marginalized, and oppressed
To work in cooperation and coordination with ecumenical bodies, humanitarian and grassroots organizations, and governments to improve the health of people and make optimum use of resources.
To promote self-reliance in health ministries, education, training, and leadership development
To seek innovative approaches to sustainability and relevance of the health ministries in response to the complex challenges of our rapidly changing world.
2022 Activities
Trainig of health unit management committees
As the term of the synod had expired, a new synod was elected and this led to the subsequent changes in most of the committees at lower level facilities. A training was conducted to equip the new committee members with knowledge inorder to carry out their tasks effectively. Tjis training was supported by Uganda protestant medical bearau through financing the activity. A total of eleven committees were trained across the diocese
Opening of new health facilities
There is an urgent need to open up new health facilities targeting every parish. This due to the ever widening gap in service delivery especially among the rural communities. The department in partnership with One Day Health has opened a total of 3 health facilities to help in reducing the gap among critically vulnerable communities. The support is aimed at opening drug shops which will in turn provide cost effective care and reduce out-of pocket expenditure/burden faced by grass root populations.
Support supervision
Support supervision is the core of the department in order to ensure quality and standard care is provided across the diocese. The department has carried out targeted supervision to address areas of urgent attention basing on reports collected. The department has conducted a total of 23 targeted supervisions across the health faculties.
| ACTIVITY | TARGET | DONE | PERCENTAGE | AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Support supervision | 48 | 23 | 48% | Lobby for more funding |
| Opening new facilities | 10 | 3 | 30% | continuous mapping |
| Board meetings | 4 | 1 | 25% | Mobilize more resources |
| New Health unit operating license | 6 | 3 | 50% | Improve coordination |
| Upgrading of facilities | 3 | 1 | 33% | Close gaps to meet criteria |
| Health review meetings | 2 | 2 | 100% | Continue engaging staff |
| Proposal writing | 20 | 4 | 20% | Identify more prospective donors |
| Capacity development | 3 | 1 | 33% | Lobby for more resources |
| Staff Retention in facilities | 20 (61%) | 13 | 65% | Centralize financial management |
| Maternity wards constructed | 3 | 3 | 100% | One completed, 2 under construction |