Health ministry launches guidelines for supervisory bodies
The guidelines will help inspectors from respective councils do their routine supervision of registered facilities in a coordinated manner so as to improve the quality of service in the private sector.
HEALTH|MEDICINE
The Ministry of Health has launched guidelines for health supervisory authorities to enrich the quality of health of Ugandans.
The guidelines will help inspectors from respective councils do their routine supervision of registered facilities in a coordinated manner so as to improve the quality of service in the private sector.
The rules will also guide them on how to work with other stakeholders for instance the local government, judiciary, district residence commissioner's office, civil society and security organs like police.
Dr. Haruna Lule, senior Advisor Human Resource Management at IntraHealth signs the booklet after the launch. Looking on is Dr. Vincent Oketcho Chief of Party IntraHealth, Dr. Katumba Ssentongo registrar at the Uganda Medical and Dental Practitioners Council and Mpiima Kibirango the registrar for the allied health practitioner's council.
In the process, if any quack practitioners are identified, they will be apprehended.
"Licensed practitioners entrust their facilities with people who are not qualified. We want to protect the public against unsafe health practices and products," said Mpiima Kibirango, the registrar at the Allied Health Professionals Council (AHPC).
This was at Ridar Hotel in Mukono on Thursday.
Speaking at the launch, Dr. Katumba Ssentongo, registrar at the Uganda Medical and Dental Practitioners Council, said the guidelines also bring together the four councils; the Uganda Medical and Dental Practitioners Council, Nurses and Midwives Council, The Allied Health Professional Council Uganda and the Pharmacy Board.
This is to erase gaps of double or multiple registrations in case particular personnel possess more than one qualification.
Dr. Joel Okullo, the chairman of Uganda Medical and Dental Practitioners Council, is optimistic that the guidelines will increase visibility.
Members of Uganda Medical and Dental Practitioner Council, Allied Health professional Council, Nurses and Midwives and Pharmacy board pose for a group photo after the launch.
"We are not felt, and with the doctrines in place, the body will be able to visit the health facilities regularly. Aside, information flow will be easy," he said.
In the Health Sector Development Plan 2015/20, Uganda's health sector commits itself to ensuring provision of high quality health care services. For this to be attained, the sector must have an effective supervisory and regulatory mechanism.
Therefore, regulation of health practice and professionals is vital to the provision of quality health care.
Dr. Katumba Ssentongo, registrar at the Uganda Medical and Dental Practitioners Council together with Lawrence Ssebufu, the administrator Allied Health Practitioners Council and coordinator carry the booklet of guides after members signed on it to the Uganda Medical and Dental Practitioners Council secretariat.
Dr. Joel Okullo addressing participants at the launch