Monday, February 7th, 2011
After I finally arrived in Uganda (arrival delayed due to the cancellation of BA flight), I met with Dr. Francis Kigongo, District Health Officer (DHO), that evening in Kampala. It was my first meeting with him because the previous DHO is on leave. In addition to giving him an informational DVD, I explained the nature and purpose of the project, as well as providing him with a formal PowerPoint presentation. We planned to meet on Thursday (the 10th of February) at which time he would introduce me to Mr. William Nabangi, the Clinical Health Officer and Village Health Team (VHT) Coordinator of the Mityana district.
Tuesday, February 8th, 2011
I met with the CEO of MTN, Mr. Themba Khumalo, regarding their potential partnership with Life for Mothers. I also met with additional software programmers that had been previously introduced to me by Orange Telecom.
Wednesday, February 9th, 2011
I met with Dr. Raymond Byaruhanga of the AIDS Information Centre (AIC) to discuss the pilot project and AIC’s partnership with the project. I also met with Mr. Rogers Kasirye (Executive Director of the
Uganda Youth Development Link) to help in the search for a Ugandan Program Manager; I was introduced to Mr. Kasirye through Dr. Al Osborne from our Advisory Board.
Thursday, February 10th, 2011
I drove to the Mwera Health Center IV and appreciated the differences from my last trip a year ago. The roads have been widened but were unpaved and consisted of cracked red clay. The main road – a single lane – was riddled with potholes and blocked off at numerous points by construction equipment, making the trip even more arduous than I had previously experienced (Videos to follow).
I met with Dr. Kigongo and he introduced me to Mr. Nabangi. I explained the pilot project to both of them in detail. We planned to have an orientation meeting on Monday, the 14th of February. Over the next three days Mr. Nabangi would mobilize 25 Village Health Teams (VHTs) and I emphasized the need for him to recruit as many men as possible. In addition, he informed me that the teams that would be required to travel more than 6 km would have to be compensated for their trip (these VHTs come the immediate surrounding 25 villages).
A team of Community Health Workers
Progress slow, but in the right direction!
Progress may seem slow when one has not actually worked in these particular areas of the world. Unfortunately, Dr. Porges is correct in that progress to reduce maternal/neonatal mortality has been very slow over the past 20 years. Here in Uganda I have been working in developing this project for almost 4 years and it is being implemented now! In the midst of public holidays, Presidential Elections, general stasis, people not showing up or not going work for whatever reason (transportation issues, illness, etc.) requires one to have a great sense of humor to survive. Partnerships will be critical to ensure the success of the Pilot Project. Indeed, progress is slow BUT Life For Mothers is implementing the pilot and partners are joining us. One must be focused on the present and not lose track of that. With each minute hour and day, mothers and newborns are dying. Ugandans need to be made aware of this fact. I a now working with Simon Kaggwa–Radio Host of the most popular radio programs in Uganda– Radio One. He is arranging various programs for me to on so that awareness is increased regarding Life For Mothers efforts to reduce maternal/neonatal mortality as well as strengthen health systems, e.g., including being on the air before Women’s Day on March 8th.
Dr. Harry, the article you sent the office today (http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportID=91980) shocked us; I knew health care shortages were serious but had no idea how staggering those shortages are. I agree – we can’t critique the speed of LfM’s progress when *any* progress is a victory. Ultimately time is going to pass no matter what – do we stay in the same place, or do we at least try toward change? Progress seems slow, but the project is gaining momentum.
We must try–that’s all we can do…
The efforts Dr Harry has invested in the mobilization for technical cooperation, partisanship and assistance from the District and NGOs is very vital for pre-entry phase of this pilot project.
It is important that selection and recruitment of VHTs be done in accordance with a developed selection criteria and not to recruit as many as possible; some of those who will not qualify after the recruitment and training may end up sabotaging the project.
In addition, VHTs should be identified and recruited from their respective villages to reduce on travel expenses and more important to enable the VHTs share their time between domestic work and project activities.