TCI University Transforms Health Workers Into Family Planning Champions

Contributors: Njeri Mbugua

Joanita Namatovu, a Medical Records Assistant at Mukono Health Centre IV in Uganda, was hesitant to register for TCI University (TCI-U) at first.

Despite reminders about enrollment from her employer and the promise of myriad reproductive health resources, she did not see how her work as a medical records assistant could be aided by TCI-U. “Before The Challenge Initiative (TCI) came to our facility, staff was not bothered about family planning with the exception of the midwives.”

Joanita was introduced to the innovative web-based platform for designing and implementing successful family planning programs in early 2018. But it wasn’t until a whole-site orientation at the Mukono Health Centre later that year that Joanita understood that everyone at the health facility has a role in family planning.  

Whole-site orientations, one of TCI’s high-impact interventions, operates on the premise that all staff working in a health facility – both clinical and non-clinical – should become advocates for family planning. After the orientation, Joanita realized how integral it is for the whole health facility to be involved in family planning, “from the guards at the gate to the cleaners.”

It was at that moment Joanita knew TCI-U, or Tupange for Better Cities as it is known in Uganda, and its evidence-based approaches – had the resources she needed to make that a reality. Now, Joanita is one of the health center’s biggest family planning advocates.

“The knowledge I have acquired from TCI-U has boosted my confidence in sharing family planning knowledge. Occasionally, I also lead some of the daily family planning health talks conducted at Mukono Health Centre IV.”

Joanita has completed over fourteen TCI-U “lessons,” acquiring certificates for each one so she can have a visual reminder of her newfound knowledge. She has also acquired a deep understanding and appreciation for family planning and the role TCI’s high impact approaches play in increasing awareness and generating demand of family planning services.

Learn more about the resources available through TCI University by registering here.