On December 2, Living Goods organized a stakeholder meeting in Kampala to disseminate the findings of IPA’s Community Health Delivery study. The project’s principal researcher, Jakob Svensson (IIES, Stockholm University and Center for Economic Research) presented the study’s findings, titled “The Effect of a Micro-Entrepreneur Based Community Health Delivery Programme on Under Five Mortality.” Event attendees included representatives from the Ugandan Ministry of Health, IPA, BRAC Uganda, UNICEF, Marie Stopes Uganda, CARE, Jhpiego, and FHI 360, as well as Ugandan local district leaders.

The event included a panel discussion on achieving high-impact community health care. The panel was moderated by Dr. Jesca Nsungwa, Commissioner for Child Health, Ugandan Ministry of Health. The panelists included Dr. Paul Kagwa, Commissioner for Community Health, Ministry of Health; Dr. Peter Waiswa, Makerere University School of Public Health; and Dr. Ocen Patrick Buchan, DHO, Lira District. The panel’s participants discussed the need to communicate to governments that in order for Community Health Care models to be successful and sustainable, introducing a business arm, as the Living Goods model has done, is an important step. The panelists also discussed how to further tap into economic activities at the district level to motivate Community Health Workers (CHWs).

“Salute to Living Goods and its implementing partners for supporting and supplementing Government efforts to improve the way Community Health is done.” – Dr. J. Nsungwa

The event also included a panel discussion by Community Health Workers from Jinja, Mpigi, and Wakiso Districts. The discussion was moderated by Emilie Chambert, Deputy Country Director of Living Goods Uganda. The CHWs highlighted the importance of the training, both immediately after their recruitment and monthly at refresher courses, to ensure that children under five and pregnant mothers received from them the best healthcare. The panelists also discussed utilizing technology as a tool to achieve high impact.

“Utilising information-filled Android phones and treatment books in the community means we give quality healthcare to our patients.” – A CHW

The event generated press coverage from several local print, radio, television, and online sources, including the Daily Monitor, The Observer, and The Independent.