KAMPALA – The UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), in close collaboration with the Ugandan Ministry of Health and through funding from the Swedish government have on Tuesday launched two digital solutions aimed at improving access to healthcare in rural communities in Uganda.
The Village Digital Health Reporting service developed in cooperation with BRAC Uganda and Medic Mobile will digitalize the reporting system used by community health care volunteers to improve access to primary health care and referral of patients from the communities to health facilities.
The second solution, a digital inventory management platform for the medical supply chain, developed in cooperation with Medical Access Uganda Limited and Signalytic will provide end-to-end visibility of data on management of essential drugs and medical supplies thereby enabling the Ugandan supply chains to become more agile and reducing stockouts.
The solutions will be piloted in selected districts in Northern Uganda and Kiryandongo district.
These digital interventions are part of a wider UNCDF strategy – ‘Leaving no one behind in the digital era’ – geared towards empowering at least one million Ugandans to access and use digital services daily to improve their livelihoods.
While the use of digital technologies in the health sector has demonstrated potential for improving health outcomes worldwide, some communities with fragile health systems are at risk of being left behind.
“Now, more than ever, the world needs to be cognizant of the imminent widening of the digital divide when it comes to the opportunities that digital solutions present in addressing day to day challenges. Fostering an inclusive digital economy that leaves no one behind is a crucial component of our work at UNCDF.” – Chris Lukolyo, UNCDF Digital Country Lead, Uganda.
Here’s what our partners had to say about the launch:
“UNCDF connects the public and private sector, with the community health sector in Uganda. BRAC is focused on digitization, integration, building resilience and sustainable technology that will enhance the speed and accuracy of our decisions in the health service delivery and make impactful decisions that reach households at the last mile.” – Dr. George Owuor Matete, Country Director, BRAC Uganda.
“The digital era affords us an opportunity to look again at how health care systems are designed and health workers are supported. We must put new infrastructure and tools to work for and with communities, ensuring that quality care reaches everyone. Village health teams are essential pillars of Uganda’s primary health system and we must walk alongside them as they serve communities. We are proud to partner with BRAC Uganda, the Ministry of Health and UNCDF in this initiative.” – Josh Nesbit, CEO, Medic Mobile.
“The Medical Access and Signalytic consortium is building on their successful digital projects’ experience to partner with UNCDF, Ministry of Health and other stakeholders to pilot and roll out digital solutions to address data management challenges that impede timely and continuous supply of sufficient quantities of health commodities in the country. The consortium is committed to support the efforts of UNCDF, Ministry of Health and other stakeholders to improve stock management of essential medicines supplies in Uganda.” – Ashraf Kasujja, Director Technical Operations, Medical Access Uganda Limited.
“The Ministry of Health believes that digital health can help improve health service delivery by simplifying procedures, enhance transparency and accountability, and make available information and services to all stakeholders in an efficient and cost-effective manner.” – Dr Charles Olaro, Director Clinical Services, Ministry of Health.
