Wakiso Health Centre Undergoes 72-hour Makeover in Uganda

Helping to bring in the materials for the makeover.

Wakiso District, Uganda, health officials on Feb. 13 unveiled a refurbished Wakiso Health Centre IV that offers – for the first time – a family planning area where couples can discuss their options with providers in privacy. This renovation was the first 72-hour makeover of its kind undertaken in Uganda with support from The Challenge Initiative. One of the Initiative’s proven approaches, the 72-hour makeover originated in its Nigeria hub.

The Wakiso makeover included fixing broken windows, repairing a non-functioning plumbing system, upgrading the floors and sprucing up the overall facility. It received a new coat of paint, new materials and supplies, and a new designated private area for family planning. The busy center receives between 200 and 250 people daily.

The Wakiso District government in partnership with the Ministry of Health led and supervised the makeover, with the Initiative providing technical guidance. The building materials and labour were sourced locally to foster inclusiveness, ownership and sustainability within the community.

Repainting the outside of the Wakiso Health Centre.

Dr. Mathias Seviri, the District Health Officer, and the Wakiso District senior leadership team hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a tour of the refurbished center, noting that Wakiso was proud to be the first Initiative partner in East Africa to benefit from the innovation.

“We believe this makeover…will go a long way in reducing the unmet need for family planning among the women of Wakiso,” said Dr. Leslie Mancuso, Jhpiego President and CEO, who attended the ceremony. Jhpiego is the Initiative’s implementing partner in East Africa.

Deputy district chairperson Ms. Betty Naluyima commended the partnership between the Initiative and local governments in Uganda for creating a safe and favourable environment for women to receive family planning services.

Putting the final touches on the 72-hour makeover at Wakiso Health Centre.

“With this beautiful space, the health workers will feel motivated to come to work every day,” said Naluyima.

Wakiso Health Centre IV is the first of 14 facilities chosen in Uganda for 72-hour makeovers. The remaining 13 health facilities will undergo makeovers throughout 2019.

With these improvements, the facility now meets recommended national standards as part of Uganda’s commitment to promote the use of modern voluntary family planning methods. These efforts will contribute to the country’s goal to reduce unmet need for family planning to 10% and increase the modern contraceptive prevalence rate to 50% by 2020.