Communities around Kiyindi in Buikwe District have been accessing preventive and curative medical services at Makonge Community Health Centre III since 1994. Annually, over 18,000 cases have been served with significant contributions made towards improvement of Maternal and infant health, malaria treatment and control, HIV and AIDS care and treatment among other services offered at the Unit.An HIV and AIDS project; Community HIV and AIDS Prevention Project was further brought on board since 2010 operating in the Sub Counties of Buikwe, Najja, Najjembe, Buikwe Town Council and parts of Buvuma Islands. Over 30,000 People have been reached annually with HIV and AIDS preventive messages, Anti-stigma messages, HIV counseling and testing and supporting care and treatment of people living with AIDS, partnerships with Churches/Religious leaders and other AIDS agencies to reduce the impact of the pandemic. Client specific designed messages were used to equip and empower youth and other highly risk groups like commercial sex workers. HIV prevalence has significantly reduced to below 5% in the project area compared to the national prevalence rate above 6.4%.
Despite the above achievements, access to health services remains costly and out of reach by many for example just 12% percent of pregnant mothers who attended Antenatal services at the unit in 2015 delivered at the Unit (INUG Annual report 2015). Health and HIV and AIDS project remains un programmatic, incoherent with no proper coordination in design. This has left tackling the health and HIV and AIDS needs in an adhoc manner, limited reporting of impact, shortage of funds /resources and limited synergies among others.
There is need for improved access to affordable health care services to partner communities if they are to have sustainable improved health. Strategies that promote primary health care, community health outreaches and health Insurance systems need emphasis. Furthermore, deliberate steps towards a more coherent and programmatic approach when designing health and HIV and AIDS intervention for the partner communities needs to be sought.
There is also need for increased resource mobilization, increase in the number of projects, better implementation,better impact reporting and creating of synergies with stakeholders and implementing partners among others for greater visibility and impact. The components of health program that comprise of health education and curative services and community- led HIV and AIDS interventions will be considered for greater impact.