In a significant move to improve healthcare accessibility and efficiency, Wakiso District Health Officer, Dr. Emmanuel Mukisa, has announced the distribution of 921 smartphones donated by UNICEF to Village Health Teams (VHTs) within the district.
The Village Health Teams in Wakiso district on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, received new gadgets to enhance their community work.
Dr. Mukisa noted that the smartphones will greatly assist the VHTs in reporting and tracking progress remotely.
“The total number of smartphones needed is 1,450, so additional devices will be donated in subsequent batches,” Dr. Mukisa said.
The smartphones, which were unveiled during a meeting with hospital leaders and supervisors, aim to streamline the work of VHT members, especially those involved in Integrated Community Case Management (ICCM) for childhood illnesses.
According to Dr. Mukisa, the use of technology will enable VHTs to record daily activities, track patient outcomes, and communicate more effectively with health supervisors, reducing the need for frequent trips to district offices.
“It is very important to utilize these phones responsibly, and I encourage VHT members to use social media platforms to reach out to individuals who may be avoiding seeking healthcare services,’’ he said.
However, the Assistant RDC of Wakiso, Amir Kiggundu, highlighted the concerning trend of absenteeism among healthcare workers, saying it has led to a shortage of doctors and forced patients to seek care in smaller, less equipped private facilities.
“This has forced patients to seek treatment in smaller hospitals that lack the necessary facilities and expertise to help patients get treatment; it’s extremely frustrating and disheartening,’’ Kiggundu said.
He stated that the district aims to increase their capacity to provide essential healthcare services, improve patient outcomes, and ultimately strengthen the overall health system in Wakiso.
The provision of smartphones to VHTs aligns with the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) efforts to bring healthcare services closer to the community.
In Uganda, each village is mandated to have four VHT members, at least two to provide Integrated Community Case Management (ICCM) of childhood illnesses.
