Uganda is committed to scaling up the use of modern contraceptive methods to ensure that every Ugandan woman can be able to make a decision of when to have children. On this day it’s imperative that we popularize the various contraceptive methods that are safe and appropriate for both young people and adolescents’ use.

BY MARIANNA KAYAGA –Programme Officer at CEHURD and the President for the Youth Advisory Committee SRHR Alliance.

         

As a young person who was then fresh from campus, I had friends who were sexually active. I really didn’t know much about the need for contraception or the various types on the market. As time went by, I noticed that a number of girls I had studied with showed up pregnant. I simply wondered to myself “why didn’t she ask her boyfriend to put on a condom or even withdraw?” I thought this since these were the only forms of contraception I knew at the time.                                                                                              

I inadvertently became the judge and jury to all these girls who ended up pregnant while we were still in school and under the care of our parents and guardians. This kind of judgment came about because I didn’t have access to information on contraception and neither did I understand or know the circumstances in which these girls got pregnant. One of these girls gave birth to twins and I recall how during classes, her lactating breasts gave off a strange smell let alone the fact that her garments often had patches around the breasts area.

One of my very close friends also got pregnant at the age of nineteen years and the first thing I remember telling her was to get an abortion because it really didn’t make much sense to me for a young girl to be pregnant without having any financial security. She then went through the nine months of the pregnancy but indicated that whole process was really devastating to the fact that she ended up getting a Caesarean section. The midwives said she was too weak to have a natural child birth.

Due to the overwhelming on-going experiences around me I became curious about learning of the different contraceptives and I must say I was privileged to have access to SRHR information through various media platforms, my friends who have unlimited access to information and various easy to read materials.

According to the Oxford dictionary Contraception is the deliberate use of artificial methods or other techniques to prevent pregnancy as a consequence of sexual intercourse. On September 26^th  ‘’World contraception day’’ as we usually prefer to call it, it is our mission as young people to spread the word and raise awareness about different contraceptive methods and safe sex. This is to enable both young men and women to make informed choices on their sexual and reproductive health. As a country we are all going through a crisis and uncertainty from the COVID-19 pandemic, reliable sexual health services that provide a range of options and information are more important now than ever.

Uganda’s total fertility, maternal mortality and teenage pregnancy rates remain among the highest globally. Uganda is committed to scaling up the use of modern contraceptive methods to ensure that every Ugandan woman can be able to make a decision of when to have children. In 2017, Uganda revised its commitment made in 2012 of reducing unmet needs of adolescents from 30.4% in 2016 to 25% in 2021. By improving the number of health facilities or structures in hard-to-reach areas, the government of Uganda strives to expand its reach and provision of services including permanent, reversible and long-acting methods. These commitments will contribute to the nation’s ambitious goal to reduce the unmet need for family planning to 10% and increase the use of modern contraception by 50%.

In Uganda, with national lockdowns and restrictions in movement which meant no transportation by both public and private means, young people could not access their usual services. This has been acute in rural areas which make up 85% of the country’s population and as a result, the numbers of unplanned and teenage pregnancies have immensely risen especially with the closure of schools.

The enormous rise in unplanned pregnancies amongst young people is because there is a huge gap in access to information about the available services, the supply chain of distribution and the overwhelmed health systems diverting resources to the COVID – 19 responses, access to SRHR services for young people including contraception, has been restricted and barriers have increased.

On this day it’s imperative that we popularize the various contraceptive methods that are safe and appropriate for both young people and adolescents’ use. Some of which include combined oral contraceptives, progestin-only pills, Depo-Provera (DMPA) injectable contraceptive, implants and condoms. IUDs are appropriate for young people when they are in a stable and mutually monogamous relationship or marriage. This is to ensure that we reduce the numbers of teenage and unplanned pregnancies both in urban and rural areas.

Considering the significant burden of risks and harm women and new-borns are exposed to due to unsafe care, compounded by the disruption of essential health services caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the campaign is even more important this year. For the world safety day 17^th September, 2021, we call on government and other stakeholders to act now for safe and respectful child birth under the theme “Safe Maternal and new born care.”

By peter eceru

The media has in the recent past reported cases of abuse of patients, health workers and other health users in health facilities. These included cases of sexual abuse of health workers, patients and care givers with in the health facilities. Relatedly, there have been cases of health workers and non-health workers administering medication with disastrous consequences to the patients. It is against this background that the WHO declared September 17^th a world patient safety day to raise global awareness about patient safety and call for solidarity and united action by all to reduce harm. Safety plays an important role in the daily operation of any health care facility. Safety means that there is absence of preventable harm to a patient during the process of receiving health care. Effective safety management not only assures employees that they have a safe working environment, but also allows patients to enjoy an atmosphere that is free from unnecessary risks and hazards. Having an effective safety program that addresses pertinent safety issues within the facility, as well as within the community will give the administration confidence that the facility is delivering the highest quality of patient care.

While Uganda committed to achieving Universal Health Coverage, safety which is one of the key pillars continues to be hugely ignored. Patients and other service users will be more comfortable when they are assured of safety when they go to a health facility be it private or public. Safety encompasses the need, use and quality of interventions provided by the health system.

Out of the realization and concern for the safety of patients, the Ministry of Health put in place a Patient Rights and Responsibilities Charter 2009 – an official document that offers guidance on various patient rights and responsibilities in the national health care system. Prominent in the document is the notion of human dignity and the provision of moral ground towards improving standard health services in the country. While the country has an elaborate legislation in relation to safety of patients, the challenge for the country relates largely to the implementation and how health facility administrators construe safety. In most health facilities, Health Facility safety committees have not been established. The law requires that each health facility should have in place a safety committee which is supposed to oversee safety issues and make recommendations on how to better safety in health facilities. Most health facilities have confused this with the Infectious Disease Control committee which have been active because COVID.

The COVID pandemic has demonstrated that the safety of patients is closely related to the safety of health workers. It has also reminded all of us of the vital role health workers play to relieve suffering and save lives. In addition to physical risks, the pandemic has placed extraordinary levels of psychological stress on health workers exposed to high-demand settings for long hours, living in constant fear of disease exposure while separated from family and facing social stigmatisation. The World Health Organisation recently highlighted an alarming rise in reports of verbal harassment, discrimination, and physical violence against health workers in the wake of COVID-19. No country, hospital or clinic can keep its mothers and children safe without keeping its workers safe.

It is important to remind the government that it has a legal and moral obligation to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of health facility workers, health facility users and make seeking health services a dignified process.  To do this government needs to take deliberate actions to ensure availability of personal protective equipment (PPE) at all times, as relevant to the roles and tasks performed, in adequate quantity and appropriate fit and of acceptable quality. There should also be adequate, locally held, buffer stock of PPE. Ensure adequate training on the appropriate use of PPE and safety precautions., maintaining appropriate safe staffing levels within health facilities, provide assurance of provision of free health coverage for health workers for work related risks, especially for those working in high-risk areas.

The media has in the recent past reported cases of abuse of patients, health workers and other health users in health facilities. These included cases of sexual abuse of health workers, patients and care givers with in the health facilities. Relatedly, there have been cases of health workers and non-health workers administering medication with disastrous consequences to the patients. It is against this background that the WHO declared September 17^th a world patient safety day to raise global awareness about patient safety and call for solidarity and united action by all to reduce harm. Safety plays an important role in the daily operation of any health care facility. Safety means that there is absence of preventable harm to a patient during the process of receiving health care. Effective safety management not only assures employees that they have a safe working environment, but also allows patients to enjoy an atmosphere that is free from unnecessary risks and hazards. Having an effective safety program that addresses pertinent safety issues within the facility, as well as within the community will give the administration confidence that the facility is delivering the highest quality of patient care.

While Uganda committed to achieving Universal Health Coverage, safety which is one of the key pillars continues to be hugely ignored. Patients and other service users will be more comfortable when they are assured of safety when they go to a health facility be it private or public. Safety encompasses the need, use and quality of interventions provided by the health system.

Out of the realization and concern for the safety of patients, the Ministry of Health put in place a Patient Rights and Responsibilities Charter 2009 – an official document that offers guidance on various patient rights and responsibilities in the national health care system. Prominent in the document is the notion of human dignity and the provision of moral ground towards improving standard health services in the country. While the country has an elaborate legislation in relation to safety of patients, the challenge for the country relates largely to the implementation and how health facility administrators construe safety. In most health facilities, Health Facility safety committees have not been established. The law requires that each health facility should have in place a safety committee which is supposed to oversee safety issues and make recommendations on how to better safety in health facilities. Most health facilities have confused this with the Infectious Disease Control committee which have been active because COVID.

The COVID pandemic has demonstrated that the safety of patients is closely related to the safety of health workers. It has also reminded all of us of the vital role health workers play to relieve suffering and save lives. In addition to physical risks, the pandemic has placed extraordinary levels of psychological stress on health workers exposed to high-demand settings for long hours, living in constant fear of disease exposure while separated from family and facing social stigmatisation. The World Health Organisation recently highlighted an alarming rise in reports of verbal harassment, discrimination, and physical violence against health workers in the wake of COVID-19. No country, hospital or clinic can keep its mothers and children safe without keeping its workers safe.

It is important to remind the government that it has a legal and moral obligation to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of health facility workers, health facility users and make seeking health services a dignified process.  To do this government needs to take deliberate actions to ensure availability of personal protective equipment (PPE) at all times, as relevant to the roles and tasks performed, in adequate quantity and appropriate fit and of acceptable quality. There should also be adequate, locally held, buffer stock of PPE. Ensure adequate training on the appropriate use of PPE and safety precautions., maintaining appropriate safe staffing levels within health facilities, provide assurance of provision of free health coverage for health workers for work related risks, especially for those working in high-risk areas.

Considering the significant burden of risks and harm women and new-borns are exposed to due to unsafe care, compounded by the disruption of essential health services caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the campaign is even more important this year. For the world safety day 17^th September, 2021, we call on government and other stakeholders to act now for safe and respectful child birth under the theme “Safe Maternal and new born care.”

The writer is an Advocacy Expert at the Center for Health, Human Rights and Development.

Rumors of the third wave are spreading fast and experts are cognizant of the fact that covid-19 is going to be with us for the long haul and adaptability is very key. One of the ways we can live with it is by preparing our bodies for battle. Wearing the armour of healthy eating i.e making healthy food choices for consumption.

By Miriam Kyomugisha

In the face of the second wave of Covid-19 that recently ravished our country, many youths succumbed to the deadly disease, a very sad turn of events. Following this tragic period, and in relation to this year’s International Youth Day 2021 theme “Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health’’, it is evident that some of our food choices as youths directly affects our health. Research shows and proves that when one contracts the virus, the state in which it finds their body contributes a big percentage to how one reacts to it. For instance, a person who consumes healthy foods like vegetables and fruits is most likely to beat the disease. It is public knowledge that a healthy lifestyle in especially feeding, boosts one’s immune system and equips the body with the ability to fight off the virus, viral infections are self-limiting which basically means that the body has to fight the infection on its own.

During the 2021 ECOSOC Youth Forum (EYF), the issues and priorities highlighted by young participants included the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly related to its effect on human health, the environment, and food systems. As part of the official outcome recommendations of the EYF, young participants stressed the importance of working towards more equitable food systems. In addition, they highlighted the need for youth to make informed decisions on food choices through increasing global education on the healthiest and most sustainable options for both individuals and the environment.

The food system is a complex web of activities involving the production, processing, transport and consumption. Issues concerning the food system include the governance and economics of food production, its sustainability, the degree to which we waste food, how food production affects the natural environment and the impact of food on individual and population health.

Following the aftermath of many youths dying from the COVID-19, it was discovered many of them had underlying conditions such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and some forms of cancer. It is now common knowledge that with underlying conditions, chances of beating the disease are minimal. It is of no wonder that youths were affected most by the virus this time around, because of their preference for junk food. It would be of great significance if youths engaged more in agriculture for more production of essential foods in amounts that can ably sustain the masses.

Rumors of the third wave are spreading fast and experts are cognizant of the fact that covid-19 is going to be with us for the long haul and adaptability is very key. One of the ways we can live with it is by preparing our bodies for battle. Wearing the armour of healthy eating i.e making healthy food choices for consumption.

The high demand for healthy foods and the high rates of unemployment among the youth has brought up the question of affordability of the vital foods whose prices have been hiked. What this means is that only the well-off can afford nutritious foods. We need to get to a place where healthy food choices are made affordable to all and prioritized while deciding on what to consume as the youth.

Food systems challenges, especially nutrition-related chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and some forms of cancer are major contributors to the global burden of disease.

Celebrate the International Youth Day with us by joining conversations around the world under the hashtag #IYD2021 on Twitter, Webinars, TV and Radio conversations as we explore the role that youths can play to achieve more equitable and sustainable food systems, and highlight the fact that the success of such a global effort will not be achieved without the meaningful participation of young people.

I conclude by saying that its only when you are sick that you realise you should have eaten healthy! This is me speaking through experience as a covid survivor. ‘’Prevention is better than cure’’ has never been more accurate than in this era of COVID-19.

The writer is a program officer in the Campaigns, Partnerships and Networks programme.

While the world seems to be drowning in the routine of infections, Covid-19 being the latest devourer, 500 million people are estimated to be infected with Hepatitis B or C worldwide according to the World Health Organization.

Compiled By Jacqueline twemanye

While the world seems to be drowning in the routine of infections, Covid-19 being the latest devourer, 500 million people are estimated to be infected with Hepatitis B or C worldwide according to the World Health Organization. These viruses kill 1.5 million people a year; 1 in every 3 people has been exposed to either or both B and C, while others suffer from alcoholic hepatitis. Unfortunately, most infected people are asymptomatic, that is, they have no or barely any symptoms of infection.

World Hepatitis Day is observed each year on 28th July to draw attention to the viral hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver that causes severe liver disease and hepatocellular cancer.

This year’s (2021) World Hepatitis Day theme “Hepatitis Can’t Wait”, conveys the urgency of efforts needed to eliminate hepatitis as a public health threat.

In Uganda, Hepatitis B infection is highly endemic according to findings from a national serosurvey. With a person dying every 30 seconds from a hepatitis related illness, even in the current COVID-19 crisis – we cannot wait to act.

The Government of Uganda is however applauded for its efforts towards the fight against Hepatitis B. Over 23 million adults and adolescents have been screened for the disease across the country, while 17.6 million adults and adolescents have been successfully vaccinated against Hepatitis B since the mass vaccination campaign was rolled out in 2015 as reported by Ministry of Health, although the target still remains unmet. Vaccination for Hepatitis B is still ongoing in public health facilities across the country for persons above nineteen years of age.

This killer disease is commonly caused by viral infection, abuse of alcohol, drugs, toxins, autoimmune hepatitis (where anti-bodies form against your liver tissue), exposure to infected bodily fluids. You may lower the risk of getting hepatitis by avoiding risky behaviours, such as sharing needles, having unprotected sex and drinking large amounts of alcohol.

Treatment options vary depending on which type of hepatitis you have. Some forms of hepatitis can be prevented through vaccination and lifestyle precautions.

Most people have no symptoms. However, those who develop symptoms may have fatigue, nausea, fever, dark urine, abdominal pain, loss of appetite and yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice). In cases of Alcoholic hepatitis, an increase in stomach size due to fluid accumulation.

In escalated conditions one may experience liver failure, cancer or scarring.

A call goes out to global, regional, national leaders, policy makers, communities and other stakeholders to explore opportunities for accelerating the hepatitis response to achieve elimination by 2030.

The writer is a Communications Officer at the Center for Health, Human Rights and Development (CEHURD).

Whereas the implementation of the Action was stalled by unexpected events like the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the election period, the activities implemented so far have registered quick wins. The activities have presented opportunities for community members to hold duty bearers accountable, and for the leaders to provide clarity and make commitments towards issues raised hence positively impacting the beneficiaries and creating avenues for private sector engagement.

The Center for Health, Human Rights and Development (CEHURD) with Partners in Community Transformation (PICOT) are implementing a two-and-a-half year Action in the districts of Koboko and Maracha, under the Development Initiative for Northern Uganda (DINU) with support from the European Union through the Office of the Prime Minister.

The Action is titled “Integrating Legal Empowerment and Social Accountability for improved local government performance and governance (LESA Action)”, focused on promoting accountable and responsive service delivery in the two districts, using an innovative blend of Legal Empowerment and Social Accountability (LESA) strategies.

Since its inception in January 2020, CEHURD and PICOT have carried out various activities in the districts which include an inception, baseline study, assessment and trainings for Community Health Advocates, radio talk shows, community dialogues, community radio outreaches in the six sub-counties of North Division, Lobule, and Kuluba in Koboko District, and Oluffe, Tara and Oleba sub-counties in Maracha District, in the West Nile region.

Whereas the implementation of the Action was stalled by unexpected events like the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the election period, the activities implemented so far have registered quick wins. The activities have presented opportunities for community members to hold duty bearers accountable, and for the leaders to provide clarity and make commitments towards issues raised hence positively impacting the beneficiaries and creating avenues for private sector engagement as illustrated herein.

The curious case of a Community Development Officer (CDO) with no office

The presence of a functional physical office for any leader in the community goes a long way in bridging the gap between communities, stakeholders, service providers and leaders. This in turn improves transparency and consequently accountability hence improved service delivery.

During one of the community dialogues in Oluffe Sub-County in Maracha District, community representatives raised a complaint about the absence of an office for the then CDO who was stationed on a veranda at the sub-county headquarters. This meant that community members did not have a central place to access information on government programmes and services, feedback or make inquiries which greatly affected delivery of services in the sub-county. In response, the CDO revealed that working on the veranda was not a suitable position for her to effectively serve the people of Oluffe Sub-county.  Fortunately, the LCIII Chairperson committed to offer the CDO office space at the sub-county, which was a great turn of events in terms of accountability and service delivery.

In a follow up activity, we found the CDO in an office annex to the sub county hall which was previously used as a store. She reported great improvement of access to information by communities on government programmes and services such as Emyooga and Senior Citizens Grant (SCG), among others.

The CDO’s office is pivotal in the lower local government planning and budgeting process as they are the main custodians of basic information sheets. These sheets are a record of all sub county priorities for consideration of the district budget.

Denial of Access to maternal health services

On 19^th March 2021, our partner PICOT held a community dialogue in Oleba Sub-county in Maracha District where a community member raised an issue of a maternal health rights violation.

Midmorning on 17^th March 2021, an expectant mother from Ede Odravu village, Oleba Sub-County was referred (minutes to delivery) by a midwife at Oleba Health Centre III to Maracha Hospital which is approximately 15km away. Unfortunately, the expectant mother was unable to go far, she gave birth by the road side with the help of community members, who then carried her back to the very health centre.

As a result of the community dialogue, a disciplinary meeting was held with the health facility management and the midwife was put to task to explain her actions. An inquiry was also instituted by the Sub-county Chief who forwarded a report to the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for disciplinary action.

“I request the midwife to be transferred if possible because I went through too much trauma and she instead accused me of shaming her, which I apologized for. The story is not different for other mothers, many have lost their children at her hand” – Doreen Dorcus Chandiru

We held a meeting with the CAO as a follow up action to establish what action had been taken by the office of the CAO. The CAO informed us that the matter had been brought to his attention and he instructed the District Health Officer to fully investigate the matter and take necessary disciplinary action.

Legal support and access to Justice

In a meeting held on 17^th April2021 at his home in Anyakani village in Oluffe Sub-County, Mr Michael Onyutha narrated the ordeal that befell his household. His 13 year old daughter was defiled by the would-be custodian and headmaster of the school she was in.

These Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights violations in schools remain a hindrance to access to quality education for the girl child. They are also gross violations of human rights and an impediment to the Human Capital Development index.

Through our recent community radio outreach held in Oluffe Sub-county, Mr Onyutha raised this issue. CEHURD and PICOT are following up this case to seek justice, using the legal aid arm. We managed to watch brief (attend court) in the case on 21^st April 2021 and 2^nd June 2021 at the Magistrates Court of Koboko at Koboko and the matter was adjourned to 21^st July 2021.

By virtue of these interventions, the LESA Action which focuses on promoting good governance and accountability for improved service delivery in the districts has started to register results that are life changing. Through these dialogues, community representatives and local sub-county authorities are able to share the challenges they face regarding service delivery, accountability and good governance. 

“We had no place to make consultations or register our complaints and that greatly affected downward accountability and good governance in our area. We thank CEHURD and PICOT for the platform” – Agele Amis an Elder in Lobule Sub county -Koboko District

Call to action

It is evident that communities have issues and face challenges in their day to day activities with a need to be heard and attended to. Opening up avenues for dialogues between leaders and the communities they lead should be normalised and held regularly. These sessions should be practical and open to all so as to realise improved service delivery and social accountability.

We therefore encourage more downward accountability interactions even in urban centers.

Compiled by CEHURD-DINU/LESA implementing officers Jacqueline Twemanye, Ruth Ajalo and Christopher Ogwang.