USAID Uganda Health Systems Strengthening (UHSS) Activity Quarterly Report Second Quarter – January 1, 2023, to March 31, 2023

The activity's goal is to enhance leadership and accountability for results in the public and private sector and across all levels of the health system. To achieve this, the UHSS Activity focuses on three key results: improved management of governance, leadership, and accountability for results; increased availability and improved management of key health systems resources; and strengthened community systems for quality health services. Key achievements for the second quarter of program year 4 include the development of annual work plans by 77 district local governments, with 95% of districts having completed their plans. The activity also supported the Uganda Ministry of Health in developing a national health policy, which was approved by the cabinet. In addition, the UHSS Activity provided technical assistance to the Ministry of Local Government in developing a policy on decentralization of health services. The UHSS Activity has made significant progress in improving the management of governance, leadership, and accountability for results. The activity has supported the establishment of district health teams, which are responsible for coordinating health services at the district level. The teams have been trained on leadership and management skills, and have been provided with the necessary resources to carry out their duties. As a result, there has been an improvement in the management of health services at the district level, with a reduction in the number of health facilities that are not functioning. The activity has also made progress in increasing the availability and improved management of key health systems resources. The UHSS Activity has supported the development of a health information system, which provides real-time data on health services. The system has been implemented in 77 districts, and has improved the availability of data on health services. In addition, the activity has provided technical assistance to the Ministry of Health in developing a policy on health financing, which aims to improve the efficiency of health financing in Uganda. The UHSS Activity has also strengthened community systems for quality health services. The activity has supported the establishment of community health units, which provide health services to communities. The units have been trained on quality improvement skills, and have been provided with the necessary resources to carry out their duties. As a result, there has been an improvement in the quality of health services provided to communities, with a reduction in the number of maternal and child deaths. The UHSS Activity has also made progress in monitoring, evaluation, and learning. The activity has established a monitoring and evaluation system, which provides regular updates on the progress of the activity. The system has been implemented in 77 districts, and has improved the availability of data on the progress of the activity. In addition, the activity has provided technical assistance to the Ministry of Health in developing a policy on monitoring and evaluation, which aims to improve the efficiency of monitoring and evaluation in Uganda. The UHSS Activity has also implemented guiding principles, which aim to improve the performance of the health system. The principles include the importance of leadership and accountability, the need for improved management of health systems resources, and the importance of strengthening community systems for quality health services. The activity has also addressed management and administrative issues, including the need for improved financial management and the importance of reducing corruption. The UHSS Activity has also made progress in curbing corruption both internally and externally. The activity has established a system for reporting corruption, which has improved the availability of data on corruption. In addition, the activity has provided technical assistance to the Ministry of Health in developing a policy on anti-corruption, which aims to improve the efficiency of anti-corruption efforts in Uganda. The UHSS Activity has also made progress in environmental compliance. The activity has established a system for monitoring environmental compliance, which has improved the availability of data on environmental compliance. In addition, the activity has provided technical assistance to the Ministry of Health in developing a policy on environmental health, which aims to improve the efficiency of environmental health efforts in Uganda. The UHSS Activity has also planned activities for the next quarter, which include the development of a national health policy, the establishment of district health teams, and the implementation of a health information system. The activity has also identified success stories, including the establishment of community health units and the improvement in the quality of health services provided to communities. The UHSS Activity has also provided technical assistance to the Ministry of Health in developing a policy on health financing, which aims to improve the efficiency of health financing in Uganda. The activity has also provided technical assistance to the Ministry of Local Government in developing a policy on decentralization of health services. In addition, the activity has supported the establishment of a health financing system, which provides financial support to health facilities.