An Assessment of the Impact of the Local Government Development Programme on the Improvement of Health Service Delivery: A Case Study of Soroti District

Abstract

EGUNYU DORAH (2006-M092-10002) An Assessment of the Impact of the Local Government Development Programme on the Improvement of Health Service Delivery: A Case Study of Soroti District The study assessed the impact of the Local Government Development Programme (LGDP) on the improvement of health service delivery in Soroti district. The objectives of the study where three pronged 1) to establish the benefits of the LGDP in the improvement of health service delivery and 2) to ascertain the challenges encountered in the implementation of the LGDP and 3) to examine the mechanisms used to address the challenges encountered in the implementation of the LGDP in order to improve health service delivery. The study findings would, therefore, provide a platform for discussion of recommendations directed to address the challenges encountered in the implementation of the LGDP in order to improve health service delivery. The study employed a case study research design and both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection were utilised. The study sample space targeted one hundred respondents, with the bulk of interviewees (80) being selected as a category of health service users within the target community and 20 key informants. The study findings indicated that the most highly rated benefits of health service delivery under the LGDP were immunisation (67.5%) and distance to health centres (26.3%) which community members rated very good. Corruption (10.9%) was cited as the main challenge to the LGDP while construction of more health centres (10.1%) was rated highest for best government local health strategy. The salient conclusion of the study was that despite the construction of health centres that ameliorated issues around distance and good immunisation programmes, corruption continued to pose a glaring threat to effective health service delivery. Key issues touching on drug outs, doctor to patient ratio resulting in high death rates from even curable diseases still remained persistent, invariably discounting gains from the LGDP. Recommendations in the study include: equipping health centres with drugs and other operational facilities, sustenance of immunisation campaigns, organising refresher courses for serving health practitioners, as well as training more health workers and creation of a national health think tank among others. Keywords: Health service delivery, Local government development, Soroti district