Integrated study to strengthen emergency medical services launched

KAMPALA - The Korea Foundation for International Healthcare (KOFIH), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MoH) and key health stakeholders, has launched an integrated research study aimed at strengthening Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and medical equipment management in Uganda. 

The study was officially launched on Friday during a Kick-off Meeting held at Fairway Hotel, Kampala.

Titled “Integrated Evaluation of Medical Equipment Management of KOFIH Donated/Procured Items, with EMS equipment as a defined subset,” the study seeks to generate evidence to inform policy, planning, and system-level improvements in health service delivery.

Jung Sang Hoon, the Senior Advisor at KOFIH Uganda, reported that KOFIH has invested significantly in EMS systems and medical equipment across Uganda, noting that the study responds by evaluating both EMS performance in utilising the medical equipment and equipment management systems in an integrated manner.

The Study Principal Investigator, Regina Mugisa, stated at the meeting that the Key areas of focus will include: Functionality and utilisation of KOFIH-supported medical equipment; Equipment monitoring and evaluation, including use of the NOMAD system, as well as sustainability and accountability mechanisms.

The KOFIH projects Coordinator, Sarah Achiro, stated at the meeting that findings will inform national decision-making, improve accountability for equipment investments, and support efforts to strengthen emergency care services.

The study will be implemented at selected health facilities in Uganda, such as Uganda Cancer Institute, NTRL, Butenga HCIV, Mbarara, and Masaka Regional Referral Hospitals.

Focus on Strengthening Emergency Care and Protecting Equipment Investments: Uganda’s health system provides pre-hospital emergency response, emergency referrals, and Hospital emergency critical care.

Jung Sang Hoon, the Senior Advisor at KOFIH Uganda, reported that KOFIH has invested significantly in EMS systems and medical equipment across Uganda, noting that the study responds by evaluating both EMS performance in utilising the medical equipment and equipment management systems in an integrated manner.

Over the years, KOFIH has invested over $3.3 million in procuring and donating medical, laboratory, ICT, and EMS equipment to strengthen health facilities across the country.

However, experience has shown that equipment availability alone is not sufficient. Proper monitoring, utilisation, maintenance, and accountability are essential to ensure that donated equipment translates into safe, reliable, and continuous patient care.

The research will evaluate: Availability and distribution of ambulances and EMS equipment as well as Referral pathways and response times.

Focus on Equipment Monitoring and Evaluation: The project builds on KOFIH’s growing emphasis on equipment Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E), which aims to:

• Ensure that all KOFIH-supported equipment is properly installed, functional, and utilised

•  Track equipment distribution, usage, condition, and maintenance status

•  Assess the impact of equipment investments on service delivery outcomes

•  Strengthen accountability and reporting mechanisms at facility, district, and national levels

•  Promote data-driven decision-making through dashboards and digital reporting tools

The integrated study responds directly to that need by examining how EMS performance and equipment management systems interact and how both can be strengthened together.

The study will assess the full equipment lifecycle, including needs assessment, procurement, installation, training, registration, preventive and corrective maintenance, and disposal, while aligning with national systems such as NOMAD and other Ugandan government Ministry of Health asset registers systems.