MCHIP Uganda Quarter 4 Report July 1-September 30, 2012

The project also sought to strengthen District Health Team (DHT) capacity to manage and coordinate support for immunization in selected Mission focus districts. During the reporting period of July 1-September 30, 2012, the project made significant progress in achieving its objectives. The project team attended EPI technical partners' meetings and engaged with UNEPI on a regular basis to finalize a two-year routine immunization (RI) roadmap/revitalization plan. They also participated in updating the cMYP and the GAVI application workshop for the introduction of new HPV and rotavirus vaccines. The project team led the process with partners to update, revise, and work towards finalizing an EPI policy. They initiated discussions with USAID implementing partners on areas of synergy and how MCHIP can provide technical assistance for increasing district focus on RI. The team also conducted staff orientation visits to Masaka district and began discussions with UNEPI and partners on reintroducing an EPI quarterly newsletter for stakeholders. In terms of challenges, the project team faced difficulties in prioritizing activities due to UNEPI's many concurrent activities and staffing shortages. To address this, MCHIP worked to provide extensive support to UNEPI staff in relation to RI pieces of work. The team also shifted some activities from UNEPI to NMS and shared feedback from monthly meetings. The project team has begun recruitment to fill the Country Director position, with Dr. Gerald Ssekitto, District Technical Officer, supporting national level efforts through December. This structure will enable coverage of tasks through January, at which time activities in five districts will begin implementation. For the next quarter, the project plans to liaise with MOH UNEPI, AFENET, and malaria program for information on materials such as the UNEPI (Immunization in Practice in Uganda) and PowerPoint slides developed by AFENET and other partners. The team will also support the newsletter working group with drafting and initiating the first draft together with the EPI/WHO focal person for disease surveillance officer. In the districts, the project plans to conduct district introductory visits/courtesy calls, conduct baseline assessment, and work with districts on solving gas cylinder problems. The team will also participate in district planning meetings, review Supportive Supervision checklists, and collect district data.