The District Health Officer of Kyankwanzi, Dr. John Sereebe, has called on Ugandans to embrace various forms of immunization, emphasizing that vaccination is not only vital for protecting individuals against diseases but also plays a key role in ensuring a healthier and more fulfilling life.
Speaking to Cbs FM from his office at the Kyankwanzi District Headquarters, Dr. Sereebe highlighted the benefits of integrating additional healthcare services into routine child immunization programs, a strategy being implemented by the Ministry of Health.
Dr. Sereebe explained that under this integrated model, health workers, supported by the Ministry of Health and partners such as AMREF Health Africa in Uganda, the Africa Centres for Disease Control (Africa CDC), and the Mastercard Foundation, are taking medical services directly to communities through outreach clinics aimed at improving access to healthcare in rural areas.
However, he noted that the growing number of patients has posed a major challenge, especially since the number of healthcare workers remains low.
According to various health professionals, the integration of services like HIV care, family planning, and health education into immunization programs has reduced the frequency with which patients need to visit health facilities, easing pressure on both staff and infrastructure.
Dr. Enid Kyalisiima, the head of immunization at Ntwetwe Health Centre IV, thanked the Ministry of Health and its partners—AMREF, Africa CDC, and the Mastercard Foundation—for supporting the integration of other health services into child immunization.
However, she expressed concern over the limited supply of medicines, which she said is not sufficient to meet the high number of patients who turn up during these outreach activities.
Residents of Ntwetwe in Kyankwanzi District also expressed gratitude to the government for bringing health services closer to their communities, but appealed for a solution to the persistent shortage of essential drugs.
Meanwhile, community health workers, known as Village Health Teams (VHTs), reported a sharp increase in the number of people receiving vaccinations and other health services in the area. They, however, raised concerns about the lack of adequate tools and supplies to support their work.
Despite the program’s clear impact especially in hard-to-reach rural areas its sustainability is uncertain, as the donor partners are reportedly planning to withdraw their support from the district.
This integrated health services model is part of the Saving Lives and Livelihoods project implemented by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with AMREF Health Africa in Uganda, the Africa Centres for Disease Control, and with funding from the Mastercard Foundation.
Report by: Betty Zziwa
