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Uganda

Health and Nutrition highlights – November 2019

Attachments

Key updates & activities

Monthly refugee health and Nutrition coordination meeting was held at ministry of health offices. Key issues discussed were HSRRP, IMAM review & FSNA updates, SRH, HIV & Family planning project in West Nile by UNFPA, Study by the London school of hygiene and tropical medicines – LSHTM, ACF project interventions in Kiryandongo and Bidibidi – ACF, Project proposal under the World bank – MoH and Reports by partners - All partners

Ministry of Health, UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, WHO, DLGs, partners, and academia supported the pretesting exercise as part of the review process of the national guidelines on the Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition. The exercise that took place from 11th to 16th November, in Hoima, is a prerequisite to the official endorsement and signing of the draft document. Once signed, the guideline will inform how the Ministry of Health, UNHCR, partners, DLGs, and sister UN agencies implement the treatment of acute malnutrition in Uganda, including the refugee settlements. The review process is expected in conclude in Q1 2020

A total of 293,192 consultations were made in all the refugee serving health facilities in the refugee settlements in Uganda of which 78% of the consultations were Refugees and 22% were the host populations. Top morbidity causes were Malaria at 41%, skin diseases at 4.8%, watery diarrhoea at 3%, URTI at 8%, LRTI at 10%, eye disease at 2% and intestinal worms at 3%.

13,241 were admitted in November in the patient wards in the health clinics in IPD out of which 68% were refugees and 32% were the host population. The main causes for admissions were malaria at 55%, LRTI at 7%, watery diarrhoea at 3%, and 35% were due to other causes not categorized. 4,620 (70% Refugees) children under 5 years were vaccinated against measles and 5,691 (71% Refugees) completed the polio vaccination.

A total of 3,833 deliveries were registered in November 70% were refugees and 30% were nationals 16,152 people were tested for HIV of which 60% were refugees and 40% host population. All those who tested positive for HIV were enrolled into HIV care and treatment. The total number of patients on ART by end of November is at 18,320 of which (35%) are refugees and (65%) are host population.

Gaps and Needs

  • Inadequate storage space for medicines and medical supplies at the central warehouse and in the field and health facilities

  • High staff turnover in the settlements

  • Inadequate staff accommodation in the health facilities with 2-3 health workers sharing one room of accommodation

  • Need to establish permanent health facilities in zone 5 in Palabek settlement where the distance to the nearest health facility is more than 5 KM radius.