Monthly Progress Report - [February 2024]

INTRODUCTION.

Community Health Partners (CHP), stands as a beacon of hope and care for the Namulesa and neighboring communities in Jinja, Uganda. Founded by a dedicated team of local healthcare professionals, including nurses, midwives, and social workers, our organization is deeply rooted in the ethos of community service and well-being. Our primary mission is to provide accessible, affordable, and comprehensive healthcare services to vulnerable populations, including children, adolescent girls and young women, pregnant mothers, and youths. Located strategically in Namulesa – Butiki Road, at a distance of 8.5Km  from Jinja Main Referral Hospital, our medical center serves as a lifeline to a population of 7,915.7 for those who would otherwise struggle to access essential medical treatments.

Services Provided: 

Counselling, Consultations, Malaria Testing, HIV Testing, community awareness and health education, nutritional support, treatments and screenings.

Program areas

• Treatment and diagnosis program. Offering accessible & affordable treatment services to women & children.

• Community outreach program. Raising awareness, improving livelihoods & promoting screening services within the community.

• Nutritional support program. Offering trainings & nutritional products that boost immunity & balanced diet within new born babies, children & pregnant mothers.

Staffing

CHP has 5 permanent staff, 3 board advisors, 2 interns, & 1 consultant that help program development, management & sustainability.

Patients’ demographics

Patient Visits: 232 Total number of patient visits during the month. (117 children, 73 women and 42 men)

Demographic information of patients served (0-5 years, 13- 19 years, 33- 40 years old, both male and female). Women are more vulnerable to diseases than the men yet few have income to support access to health services for their children. Majority of the women are single mothers with limited or no support from the fathers of their children.

PROGRESS

Health Education and Awareness:

CHP Conducted 3 health education outreaches & trainings focusing on Sickle cells, Sexual Reproductive Health, Malaria & HIV to empower community members with knowledge and preventive measures within the target community of Namulesa. A total of 65 women and 25 men were reached respectively.

Collaborated with 2 local schools and 1 ward in Namulesa to promote health awareness through interactive sessions, dialogue, and community outreach programs, afterwhich 3 CHP health groups with 30 members each were formed. Theses are intended to expand and increase the reach of the CHP outreach program amongst other vulnerable groups within the community.

Wellness Clinics and Screenings:

CHP Hosted 4 weekly wellness clinics every Sunday at the CHP Health Center, to provide free health screenings for malaria amongst children, teenage mothers and pregnant women to promote early detection and prevention.

Notable participation from the community, with 33 individuals benefiting from the screenings.

Partnerships and Collaborations:

CHP established partnerships with local NGOs, and government agencies to enhance the center's resources and services. We registered and partnered with the Busoga Health Forum, presented our credentials for recognition and awarding of a medical operating license from The Allied Health Professionals Council. The officials from AHPC visited our facility twice, and our application was successfully submitted, pending approval. With issuance of the medical operating license, Government of Uganda through the Ministry of Health can grant us the opportunity and support to carry out the following health activities at our facility;

• Immunization of Children

• Vaccinations of pregnant mothers and children

• Pre & Post Natal health care to pregnant mothers

• HIV/AIDS support programs

Through the connection with Busoga Health Forum, Global Surgical Initiatives (Kyabirwa Surgical Center) donated medicines to CHP

Other partnerships are still in formation like one with the Reproductive Health Uganda-Eastern Region Offices.

Staff Training and Development:

• Conducted 3 training sessions for our community & healthcare staff to stay updated on information and documentation, medical advancements, technologies, and patient care techniques.

• Recognized and celebrated staff commitments, fostering a positive and motivated work environment.

Technology Integration:

• Installed & implemented the Maisha Med App technological solution to streamline patient records, inventory management, sales and purchase orders, communication and improving overall efficiency.

• Explored innovative ways to integrate technology for telehealth services and remote patient monitoring.

TESTIMONIES

• Highlighted success stories of patients who have benefited from the center's services, demonstrating the positive impact on individual health outcomes.

FINANCE

Financial Overview

• 3,051,079 UGX Revenue, 3,038,900 expenses, and 12,179 budget variances.

• Maintained financial sustainability through 55% support from Ms. Roopal Patel, CEO & founder of UNOVA Group, while 25% come from treatment and medical service charges.

• Ensured that resources were allocated efficiently to support ongoing and upcoming health center activities.

QUALITY IMPROVEMENT INITIATIVES

• ·         Market research and service usage trainings

• ·         Installation of accounting system

• ·         Website development

FACILITY AND EQUIPMENT

We managed to acquire 3 treatment beds, medical waste bins and uniforms for our health facility.

CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS

• Limited resource base for program implementation. CHP is concluding on its final strategic plan document that will be accompanied by a resourcing strategy to enhance the resource base.

• Small staff. We are a developing a volunteer and internship program to widen the team for effective program implementation.

• New brand. CHP is enhancing the beneficiary profiles to tailor make its service and program package.

• Overwhelming client numbers. We have a target of developing 10 CHP health groups within the community to help in managing & coordinating the increasing numbers of program beneficiaries.

• Capacity gaps within staff. The HR head is developing a training plan for all staff and volunteers.

UPCOMING EVENTS FOR MARCH 2024

• Sickle cell awareness monthly walk. This is aimed at raising sickle cell awareness within the wider community.

• Weekly sickle cell clinics. These are aimed at sharing best nutritional & management practices in relation to the National Sickle Cells guidelines of the Ministry of Health and recommended nutrition diet from nutritional experts.

• Starting the CHP Local Community Health Insurance Policy. This is aimed at providing free treatment of common communicable diseases within the community.  

• Women’s day “appreciate a woman activity”. This is aimed at recognizing & appreciating the role of struggling women who created positive change within their families.

• Strategic plan review. This is aimed at aligning CHP activities to reach the intended growth goals.

• Launch of the CHP organization to sensitize the community about the CHP community programs.

RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS

Recommendations

• Finalize strategic plan document and developing resource mobilization strategy

• Widening and Strengthening partnerships

• Develop a volunteer program

• Conducting other capacity building training

• Operationalize the board

Conclusions

Community has given good reception to the new services of CHP, with 65%  implemented off the planned monthly activities. The CHP team needs to focus much on resource mobilization and creation of strategic partnerships, and doing another round of awareness to enhance program growth.