KYENJOJO DISTRICT REAPS BIG FROM COMMUNITY ACTION PLANNING

Nyantungo Sub county with a population of 42,600 is served by only one private health Clinic: As development partners, we are all obliged to strategically plan and save our future generation by enhancing civic competence and ensuring effective service delivery; building a firm foundation through utilizing the available opportunities and filling gaps in service delivery;   This was the case, during the interface meeting with the leaders of Kyenjojo district Local government  and RIDE Africa a member of on the findings of the vertical tracking of public expenditure exercise conducted in Katooke Town Council,  Katooke sub county and Nyantungo sub county

In the water sector, the district authorities was acknowledged for   their tireless efforts in the Construction of water facilities in the communities to ensure supply of safe and clean water in Katooke and Nyantungo sub counties,   some of the water facilities were found fenced e.g.  Karongo  bore hole  and there were reports of community contribution a cost hare for the construction of the water facility.  The fact that Nyakisi Gravity Flow Scheme was serving the community of Katooke TC and Katooke Sub County with clean and safe water could not go unmentioned.

Leaders of Nyantungo sub county, Kyenjojo district during the vertical tracking exercise

However, there were some gaps that were hindering access to safe and clean water for example Ihamba shallow well that was constructed in the 2011/12 F/Y  had  developed a crack of about 3 fit moreover the Ihamba shallow  costed the tax payer 3.4 Million and if crack was not fixed  6 households will not access safe and clean water. Inconsistence in water supply e.g.  Karongo water borehole which costed 19 million , was not handed over to the community and stops working at 4:00 PM. Non functionality of water user committees 75% of water facilities visited were not functional. Can we strengthen the pump attendants? Clarity on ownership was not clear as there was no documentation of agreements from the land owners e.g. Nyakisi GFS,  Ihamba shallow well, Kidubuli. To my  surprise the sub county authorities did not know how much the water facility cost the district authorizes as  contract documents are not shared with sub county authorities for example at  Nyakisi the land owner has planted the sugarcane and eucalyptus trees in the water catchment are. 

Community members during the Nyantungo sub county, Kyenjojo district

 In health, the interface meeting focused on  whether   the expenditure on Health is justified   and  what we have achieved  in terms of quality and accessibility of  health service. Also   weather the expenditure in Health translates into improved quality of life result.  But who is responsible? All of us have a role to play in improving the quality of health services. It Is one thing having a health  facility  in the area but equipping the health facilities with the necessary tool and Human Resource. But what about a sub county with no any government health Unit!!!! IT sounds strange but this is the situation of Nyantungo  sub county which has no public health Facility. The community members  get services from ST. Edwards Clinic which on average treats 300 children and 500 adult per month  who spend a minimum of  20,000/= each.  In simple terms the communities spend 16,000,000 per month in accessing health services. What about the poor?   To make matters worse 100 mothers used to deliver from St. Edward per month when it was initially supported by Strides to subsidence the cost of maternity and currently without the support they serve only 15 deliveries per month. What is the implication of this?, Have  mother stopped delivering or it because they cannot afford  the cost and have resorted to traditional systems? We can use the health sector PPP strategy to support the communities in Nyantuingo to access PHC through St. Edwards Clinic

  Whereas  Nyantungo sub county is complaining of lacked of a health centre Katooke town council  that is blessed to have Katooke health Center III  complains that  PHC funding  is not sufficient e.g.  they only receive between 1.5 – 2M per quarter to serve both Sub County and Town Council with a population  of   Non functionality of health unit management committees e and poor administration e.g.  at Katooke HC III administration has not put in place a finance committee 

  Suggested Recommendations by RIDE AFRICA  a member of RWECO are as follows;

• Training of  Water user and Health Unit management committees on their roles
• Empowering communities to engage with local authorities to deliver improved quality services;
• Facilitate Water pump attendants to maintain water facilities

·         Use the health sector PPP  to work with private clinics to extend PHC services to the most vulnerable communities

• Facilitate Nyantungo Sub county with a government health facility.
• Sensitize communities on ownership and maintenance of government programs
• Joint monitoring of Service delivery in the communities
• Share project documents with lower local governments
• Bi- annual review of District and Sub County work plans
• Follow up of the commitments made by leaders and Community members.

Thanks to efforts of the Chief Administrative Officer,  the District Health Officer, CSO partners,  and  district Community Development Officer   who endeavored to answer the concerns of the during the interface. The answers circulated around lack of resources and the government policies.  In my view, the government’s policy of ensuring that the existing facilities are fully functional with necessary staffing and equipment it is good as quality service delivery but the district should not under estimate the hard to reach communities that have no health facilities.

 Nyantungo Sub County should be considered as a special case since the community members in Ruhoko have committed 5000 bricks, land and cash worth 200,000 shillings. Therefore their efforts should not be under estimated.

By Sheila K

RWECO