Contribution of health committees towards effective implementation of the decentralized national health policy in Sironko District

Abstract

This study was carried out in six selected sub counties in Sironko District to assess the contribution of health committees towards effective implementation of the decentralized National Health policy. The study was prompted by the fact that whereas health committees were expected to be involved in the planning, implementation and management of health programmes within their communities, their contribution has remained uncertain and there had been no empirical assessment to this effect. The study adopted a survey research design so as to cover a wider area of the district and collect views that are representative of the situation in Sironko district. With this research design, a questionnaire, interviews, focus group discussion and observations were used to collect data from heads of sectors at the district. In addition, focus group discussions with village health committees and questionnaires to directly collect data from sub county health committees. The results of the study indicate that the health communities in Sironko district have not been adequately involved in the formulation and administration of primary health care services. The study further revealed that the health committees have only been moderately involved in sensitization and mobilization of the communities to access health care services. It is concluded from the evidence in the study that the health committees in Sironko district have only fairly contributed to the implementation of the National Health policy. The study recommends among other things, the need for the office of the DDHs to disseminate information about the National Health policy, sensitize and facilitate the health committees to contribute towards effective implementation of this decentralized policy.