Rubanda district ranked the best performing in Health in Kigezi sub-region.

Senior Reporter

Rubanda District Local Government has been ranked the top in Kigezi Sub-region and claims the 4th spot nationwide for its exceptional healthcare services.

This noteworthy recognition was officially disclosed by Dr. Patrick Tusiime, the Commissioner of the Department of Communicable Diseases, Prevention, and Control within the Ministry of Health.

The momentous announcement unfolded during the concluding session of the Kigezi Regional Joint Review Mission (JRM) yesterday, held at the National Teachers College in Kabale Municipality. The overarching theme of this JRM was “Invigorating Health Promotion and Disease Prevention; My Role, Your Role, Our Roles.”

According to the latest annual health sector performance report for the Financial Year 2021/22, Rubanda District demonstrated a commendable performance on the national stage, achieving a total score of 80.2%.

In contrast, neighboring districts like Kabale District secured the 11th position with a score of 78.2%, Rukiga District followed closely in the 12th position with a score of 77.5%, while Rukungiri lagged in the 23rd position with a score of 75.7%. Kanungu District stood at the 58th position with a score of 69.8%, and Kisoro District rounded up the rankings in the 60th position with a score of 69.4%.

Dr. Tusiime elucidated that the district rankings in the health sector were determined by evaluating the effectiveness of disease prevention, the promotion of general health, and the quality of curative services offered within healthcare facilities across the entirety of each district.

The driving force behind Rubanda District’s outstanding achievement is attributed to the visionary strategy implemented by Dr. Abdon Birungi, the Rubanda District Health Officer, who assumed this role in 2018. Dr. Birungi’s strategy has been centered on prioritizing health promotion and disease prevention.

Dr. Birungi explained that his healthcare team recognized that the bulk of disease burdens originated from local communities.

This realization prompted them to engage in community sensitization initiatives aimed at improving health at the household level.

Their efforts also aimed to alleviate congestion at healthcare facilities and empower community members with the knowledge and awareness necessary to seek healthcare services from designated health center points.