Kisoro District Health Department Proposes Using 5% of RBF Funds for Ambulance Fuel

Officials in Kisoro District have put forward a proposal to dedicate 5% of their Results-Based Financing (RBF) funds specifically for fueling referral ambulances. This move is a direct response to observed delays in transporting patients who require urgent medical attention.

The proposal emerged during a recent Health Performance Review Meeting where service delivery challenges were a key topic of discussion. Among the critical issues raised was the persistent shortage of fuel for ambulances stationed at various health facilities across the district.

These fuel shortages have been identified as a significant impediment, potentially leading to critical delays in patient referrals. The urgency is heightened when dealing with patients in severe or life-threatening conditions who need to be moved to higher-level care facilities promptly.

Results-Based Financing is a mechanism where health facilities receive funding contingent upon achieving and verifying specific, agreed-upon health outcomes. The intention behind RBF is to incentivize and improve the quality and effectiveness of healthcare services, including primary care, with measurable targets often set for areas like maternal and child health, immunisation, and outpatient services.

Dr. Bosco Muhangi, Kisoro District Health Officer, emphasized the importance of responsibility at health facilities. He urged in-charges to prioritize timely and appropriate patient care and to actively solicit and utilize community feedback through meetings like ‘baraza’ to enhance service delivery.

Deputy Resident District Commissioner Dan Ndikumwami highlighted the value of performance review meetings in equipping health workers with new knowledge and identifying areas for improvement. He also noted plans for district officials to conduct site visits to assess adherence to patient care protocols.

Resident District Commissioner Hajji Badru Ssebyala called for increased community outreach to educate residents on the importance of seeking medical help promptly, noting that some individuals delay seeking treatment for potentially manageable illnesses.

He also stressed the role of health workers in educating parents about proper nutrition, a crucial aspect in combating child malnutrition within the district.

Source: Nile Post