How Health Access Connect is creating Sustainable Healthcare Access in Ugandan Communities.
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Health Access Connect is committed to improving healthcare access in Uganda by creating sustainable access to healthcare services in the communities they serve. Through integrating innovative Local Community Associations (LCA) Model and remote monitoring system in their Medicycle Project, they are ensuring healthcare access becomes a long-term reality in Uganda.
Medicycle Project organizes community-supported systems to bring government medical doctors to the hard to reach communities that are 5 km and more from the nearest health facility for monthly or bimonthly one-day outreach clinics, where they provide free integrated primary healthcare services like antiretroviral treatment, antenatal care, immunizations, and family planning. The model is included as a recommended service delivery model in national HIV guidelines (p. 292). You can read more about the Medicycles model in our Global Health Action article: https://bit.ly/hac-model.
Community members listening to health Education before getting treatment
The Local Community Associations groups help HAC to organise community members to host health outreaches in the villages. This model encourages community members to actively engage in financing their healthcare by saving a modest amount each month, (2000 Uganda shillings or $ 0.5 each member) which funds are used for transporting government medical health workers to the outreach clinic . This collective effort not only creates a sustainable funding source for outreach clinics but also fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility among community members. It transforms healthcare from being a charity to a partnership, fostering community bonds and resilience.
Community members of Luwunga village in Mpigi District during the LCA group formation meeting
Furthermore, Health Access Connect employs remote monitoring to ensure continuity in healthcare access. Even when field officers can’t be physically present, they supervise outreach clinics through phone calls, empowering community health workers to maintain high-quality healthcare services independently. This not only guarantees effective clinic operation but also promotes capacity building within the community. It’s a model for sustainable development that could be replicated in similar regions facing healthcare challenges.
Health Access Connect is on a mission to link remote communities to healthcare with a goal to set the standard for how to bring sustainable, equitable health services to remote, marginalized communities. Their innovative strategies, dedication, and community engagement bring them closer to achieving this vision and creating healthier, brighter futures for Ugandan communities.
