Our Focus Areas
01.
Maternal Child Health
02.
Malaria Prevention and Treatment
03.
HIV/AIDS Counselling and Testing
04.
Sexual and Reproductive Health
05.
Environment and Climate Impact
06.
Water and Sanitation Health
07.
Women and Youth Empowerement
08.
NonCommunicable Diseases
09.
Pharmaceutical Supply Chain
Some Accomplishments
Project:
Strengthening Community Structures in Combination HIV Prevention
Uganda Health Marketing Group (UHMG), with funding from the Civil Society Fund, implemented a three-year project titled “Strengthening Community Structures in Combination HIV Prevention” in Kasese District. The project, which ran from October 2012 to September 2015, aimed to reduce new HIV infections among Most at Risk Populations (MARPs), including Commercial Sex Workers (CSWs), their clients, truckers, and fisher folk, in six sub-counties: Nyakiyumbu, Mukunyu, Kisinga, Kyondo, Kyarumba, and Katwe Kabatoro Town Council.
Kasese District, with an HIV prevalence rate of 11.2% at the time, had one of the highest HIV rates in Uganda. The district’s high HIV burden was attributed to the presence of mobile populations such as truckers, fisher folk, factory workers, and tourists, many of whom engaged in high-risk sexual behavior. UHMG’s project aimed to address this by strengthening community structures and providing HIV prevention services to MARPs and People Living with HIV, contributing to the reduction of new HIV infections in the region.
Project:
Strengthening Civil Society for Improved HIV/AIDS and OVCs Service Delivery in Uganda
The Strengthening Civil Society for Improved HIV/AIDS and OVC Service Delivery in Uganda (SCIPHA) project was implemented by a consortium of the Joint Clinical Research Center (JCRC) and Uganda Health Marketing Group (UHMG), in collaboration with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) sub-grantees and established government and non-governmental structures.
UHMG led the HIV prevention efforts by driving demand and increasing the uptake of HIV services and products. The project was implemented across 19 districts in Uganda: Kabarole, Hoima, Masindi, Kasese, Bundibugyo, Mpigi, Kiboga, Kalangala, Mityana, Lira, Amolatar, Agago, Soroti, Katakwi, Tororo, Arua, Nebbi, Koboko, and Moyo, covering 75 sub-counties.
UHMG was specifically responsible for implementing activities in Kalangala, Mityana, Mpigi, Kiboga, Nebbi, Arua, Koboko, and Moyo, encompassing 38 sub-counties. The target population included commercial sex workers, truckers, fisher folk, men and women in uniform, incarcerated individuals, boda-boda riders, people living with disabilities, out-of-school youth, discordant couples, and people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV). During SCIPHA I (2011/12), the target population also included in-school youth. UHMG worked with both public and private health facilities to promote behavior change and distributed a total of 3,273,206 socially marketed and free condoms through 199 established condom outlets at the community level.
The project collaborated with existing structures, including 12 CSOs and 200 VHT members, mother clubs, and PLHIV networks. A total of 16 Community Resource Persons supported referrals, linkages, partnerships, and ensured client enrollment. VHTs played an active role in sensitizing, mobilizing, and referring individuals, resulting in over 275,027 clients being mobilized and accessing HIV services within the SCIPHA project areas.
Project:
The Global Fund Malaria Project
Uganda Health Marketing Group (UHMG) was selected by TASO as one of the eight sub-recipients to implement the Global Fund Malaria Project under the New Funding Model. TASO serves as the Non-public Sector Principal Recipient (PR) for the Global Fund, while the Ministry of Finance, operating through the Ministry of Health, is the Principal Recipient for the public sector. Other sub-recipients include the Program for Accessible Health, Communication and Education (PACE), Kagumu Development Association (KADO), and PILGRIM Church of Uganda, which were allocated districts different from UHMG’s designated regions.
UHMG implemented project activities in 23 districts across Central Uganda and the West Nile regions. These districts included Nebbi, Moyo, Koboko, Arua, Adjumani, Maracha, Yumbe, Zombo, Kalangala, Mpigi, Kiboga, Mityana, Butambala, Gomba, Kyankwanzi, Kampala, Kyenjojo, Kyegegwa, Nakasongola, Nakaseke, Buvuma, Buikwe, and Kayunga.
The project primarily focused on Health Systems Strengthening and Malaria Control, targeting pregnant women, children under 5 years of age, and the general community. The Malaria Project set several key objectives, including:
- To provide parasitological diagnosis and prompt, effective treatment for at least 80% of suspected malaria cases at health facilities and community levels by 2017.
- To maintain universal coverage with Long-Lasting Insecticide Nets (LLINs) at a ratio of one net for every two people at risk from 2011 to 2017.
- To increase awareness and usage of LLINs, as well as malaria diagnosis and treatment services, to at least 80% by 2017.
- To strengthen program management, malaria surveillance, and M&E systems in at least 80% of districts in Uganda by 2017.
UHMG’s activities in the 23 districts included the following outcomes:
- Regional planning with District Health Teams (DHT) and sub-recipients, along with 100 advocacy campaigns targeting government officials on malaria prevention.
- 58 visits to districts for monitoring and reporting on Social Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) activities in collaboration with CSOs and CBOs.
- Training of 285 private sector health workers in Health Management Information Systems (HMIS) and 399 private sector health workers in Immunization and Malaria Management (IMM).
- Distribution of 415,840 LLINs to children under 5 and pregnant women (at ANC facilities).
- Conducting 72 district-level bi-annual meetings with the private sector.
- Training 1,103 teachers and students in malaria prevention skills.
- Implementing 86 support supervision visits for private-for-profit health facilities.
- Organizing 58 community social mobilization events.
- Conducting 842 quarterly meetings for Village Health Teams (VHTs), supervising 7,403 VHTs, and collecting reports.
As a result of these activities, 710,368 children tested positive for malaria, and 78% received first-line treatment through the community-based approach.
The project contributed to a significant reduction in malaria cases at health facilities, as evidenced by health workers noting fewer cases at outpatient departments. This decrease is attributed to adherence to the test-and-treat policy. Additionally, the project led to improved awareness of malaria prevention, especially the use of LLINs, and an increased demand for treatment services. Both VHTs and health workers successfully adopted and implemented malaria treatment techniques and skills, which enhanced parasitological diagnosis and treatment for at least 80% of suspected malaria cases at health facilities and community levels by 2017. Furthermore, the project strengthened the Monitoring and Evaluation system through HMIS training and ongoing mentorship via support supervision.
