Every step of Ajambo Juliet’s 8-kilometer walk from her village of Nawasonga Idubu to Mayuge Health Center III carries more than just distance; it carries hope.
At just 20 years old and a mother of three, Juliet regularly visits the facility for her children’s immunizations and antenatal care. This journey, once marked by uncertainty and hardship, now reflects the transformation of a health system that is saving lives and restoring dignity. This represents a significant shift from the past, when the facility struggled with overcrowding, a shortage of beds and maternity rooms, and limited access to essential services such as family planning consultations and adolescent sexual and reproductive health information.
“Today, the health workers and nurses treat us well, the doctors attend to us properly, and we receive medicines at the health facility too” she says with a smile. Beyond general treatment, Juliet emphasizes the improved availability of vital services such as family planning and adolescent sexual and reproductive health information, which were previously lacking.
Mayuge Health Center III, once a small and overcrowded health facility, has undergone significant refurbishment through the five-year Health System Strengthening Project, implemented by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the World Health Organization (WHO), and Uganda’s Ministry of Health. This project has improved reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health (RMNCAH) services across five districts: Buyende, Bugiri, Kamuli, Iganga, and Mayuge. Interventions include the renovation of facilities, provision of water tanks, upgrades to medical equipment, and enhanced support for health workers, as well as improvements in the quality of RMNCAH care provided by health workers, including the dissemination of sexual and reproductive health information to adolescents and teachers.
Juliet vividly recalls the challenges faced by the community before these improvements. “Back then, we used to find issues before the refurbishment of this facility,” she explains. “Women who were going to give birth were so many, occupying small spaces. Some rooms didn’t have beds, and patients used to sleep on the floor without maternity rooms.”
The lack of adequate space and resources was a significant concern, especially for women, who represent the majority of patients at the health center. The situation was dire, with many women having to endure uncomfortable and unsafe conditions during childbirth. “In general, the place was so small, especially for women,” Juliet recalls. “The KOICA project is a blessing to the people around the community and has improved service delivery to people.”
The refurbishment of the health center has brought about a remarkable transformation. What was once an under-resourced facility is now a beacon of hope and health for the community. The addition of a dedicated maternity ward with proper beds and private spaces has been particularly impactful, leading to an increase in facility-based deliveries and safer outcomes for mothers and babies.
Juliet is full of gratitude for the changes that have taken place. “I just want to extend my thanks to the World Health Organization, KOICA, and the Ministry of Health for painting the buildings, providing water tanks, spraying bats, making the place cleaner, among other work done on the facilities,” she says. She also acknowledges the tireless efforts of the local health workers, who now have better resources to provide quality care.
Juliet’s message to her community is one of patience and appreciation. She encourages community members to seek health care at the health facility. Her story is a testament to the positive impact that well-coordinated efforts and investments in healthcare infrastructure can have on a community. It serves as a reminder that with the proper support, even the most challenging situations can be transformed into opportunities for growth and improvement.
Juliet’s journey from Nawasonga Idubu to Mayuge Health Center III is more than physical. It symbolizes the journey toward hope, dignity, and a stronger health system. Her story is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when coordinated efforts and investments reach the communities that need them most. With continued community involvement and government support, Mayuge stands as a beacon of what can be achieved through partnership and perseverance.