A four-day field visit to Northern Karamoja marked an important moment to celebrate the progress achieved through long-term collaboration to strengthen health services in one of Uganda’s most underserved regions.
We had the pleasure of welcoming and accompanying the Ambassador of Ireland to Uganda, H.E. Mags McGeown, during her official visit to Karamoja, together with the Irish delegation, district leaders, health workers and local authorities. The visit was an opportunity to see first-hand how sustained partnership and investment can contribute to building stronger health systems and bringing quality care closer to communities.
Accompanied by our Country Representative Dr Peter Lochoro, the delegation visited health facilities across the region and celebrated key milestones in maternal and newborn health, access to essential medicines, and emergency referral services.
The visit culminated in the handover of several key health infrastructures supported by Irish Aid and implemented by our team in collaboration with local health authorities. Premises include the Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) at Abim and Kaabong hospitals that will help strengthen the capacity to provide specialised care for vulnerable newborns; a renovated drug store in Karenga, to guarantee storage and management of essential medicines and a Mother Waiting Shed and Blood Bank Unit in Moroto, to support safer deliveries, emergency care and referral services.
“70% of newborn mortality happens in the first week of life, and this shows how important it is to have a functioning NICU,” highlighted Dr Peter Lochoro during the handover of the neonatal facilities.
During the visit to Karenga Health Centre IV, H.E. Mags McGeown underlined the importance of ensuring that essential medicines are available and properly stored:
“One of the most essential elements of healthcare is the availability of medicines, and proper storage is something very important to look at. Thank you for not ignoring it.”
The infrastructures handed over are part of the initiative “Strengthening district health systems for improved access to and utilization of quality RMNCAH integrated services in Karamoja”, that we are implementing with the support of Irish Aid. The programme aims to strengthen the health system at all levels and improve access to and quality of maternal, newborn and child health services across the region.
