The Ministry of Health through the National Medical Store -NMS, has provided the Kitgum District Local Government with 414 smartphones.The smartphones are intended for use by Village Health Teams -VHTs.
Dr. Henry Okello Otto, the Kitgum District Health Officer, expressed his enthusiasm about the development, saying that it reflects the Health Ministry’s commitment to strengthening and promoting the community health strategy and digitizing the health system.
“All the information in the health system will now be sent and kept digitally by the VHTs,” Dr. Otto said. Kitgum District has 1,370 VHTs, and Dr. Otto requested that the Ministry of Health provide additional smartphones to ensure all VHTs receive the devices, prioritizing active teams.
Habib Abubakar, the Kitgum Chief Administrative Officer, noted that the smartphones will alleviate the challenges Village Health Teams have faced in collecting data.
“The VHTs have been struggling with collecting data, but with these smartphones, that challenge will be no more,” Abubakar said, urging the District Health Office to train the VHTs on using the devices well.
Arwai Christopher Obol, the Kitgum District Chairperson, emphasized the significance of the donation, saying it demonstrates that the transition from analogue to digital is underway. “We must closely monitor the usage of these gadgets to ensure they serve their purpose,” Obol said.
Walter Oyoo Komakech, the Kitgum Deputy RDC, praised the government’s commitment to strengthening the community health strategy and digitalizing health service delivery. “This will enhance disease reporting, enabling the Ministry of Health to receive timely reports from communities through these dedicated Village Health Teams,” Komakech said.
He concluded that the phones are expected to improve health services in Kitgum District, enabling Village Health Teams to collect and report data more efficiently.
