First Mile Community Health Program, a project under the Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine (FoM), Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) trained health Facility Leaders in-charges in leadership and management skills.
The Leadership and Management Continuing Medical Education (CME), which lasted two days, took place at the Silverback Hotel in Mbarara. The training was under the theme improving the quality of community placement experience through partnership in southwestern Uganda involving 20 health facility leaders.
Dr. Gad Ruzaaza, a senior coordinator for Community-Based Education Research and Service (COBERS) and a community health specialist from FoM, commenced the training by educating the group about the components of COBERS as the foundational principles upon which MUST was built. He claimed that in order to provide health services to the neighboring people, MUST was founded in 1989 on the principles of community-based education.
‘’Through community-based education, First Mile Health Program was born, which literally means moving with the common people to make their lives better. COBERS involves setting up a participatory community, collaborative environment, and participatory research aiming at transforming society. The concept of Leadership Community Placement (LCP) involves management and leadership practices, service learning which is a student-led project to support health systems,’’ Dr. Ruzaaza explained.
Community entrance and diagnosis, mentorship opportunities, problem prioritization, evidence-based planning, supervisory responsibilities, public relations, and customer care were all included in the training program.
The discussion regarding evidence-based planning in health care provision was facilitated by Associate Professor Edgar Mulogo, the head of the Department of Community Health and Program Director First Mile Community Health Program, FoM. He discussed the importance of evidence-based planning in Uganda’s health system with the trainees and urged the managers of health facilities to follow the Ministry of Health’s recommendation and implement it in their facilities.
The leaders of the healthcare facilities were also made aware of the need to learn contemporary PR strategies in order to provide their clients with better services. Ms. Angela Nakato, the university’s public relations officer, gave the facility managers the advice to brand their medical facilities both physically and digitally, not only to draw in more clients but also to stay in the minds of those who depart for other stations. She advised them to give their staff training on the public relations aspects of client care.
A certificate awarding ceremony to students marked the end of the course, which was attended by Mr. Melchior Byaruhanga, University Secretary. While giving the closing remarks, Mr. Byaruhanga extended gratitude to the program organizers and the health center directors for the partnership.
You must be logged in to post a comment.