Regional Health Integration to Enhance Services in Northern Uganda
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| Type | Initiative |
|---|---|
| Sponsor Organization | John Snow, Inc. |
| Top Organization | United States Agency for International Development |
| Creation Legislation | PEPFAR Authorization |
| Website | N/A |
| Purpose | RHITES-N aims to improve health outcomes in Northern Uganda by increasing access to quality integrated health services. |
| Program Start | 2017 |
| Initial Funding | $69.7 million |
| Duration | Ongoing as of 2023 |
| Historic | Yes |
The Regional Health Integration to Enhance Services in Northern Uganda (RHITES-N) is a comprehensive health initiative focused on improving access to and quality of integrated health services across Northern Uganda, particularly in the Lango sub-region. Launched by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and led by John Snow, Inc. (JSI), it addresses critical health areas such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, maternal and child health, family planning, nutrition, and water and sanitation, while building sustainable local health systems through district-led, community-focused strategies.
Goals
- Increase access to and utilization of quality health services across Northern Uganda.
- Strengthen district health systems to sustain service delivery improvements.
- Promote adoption of healthy behaviors in communities, targeting measurable improvements in national health indicators.
- Specific targets include a 240% increase in family planning use and supporting over 1.4 million women and children with health services.
Organization
RHITES-N is managed by John Snow, Inc. (JSI) as the primary implementing organization under USAID oversight. It operates through a consortium including AMREF Health Africa, Another Option LLC, Doctors with Africa (CUAMM), and The Medical Concierge Group, collaborating with Uganda’s Ministry of Health and local district governments. Governance is district-led, emphasizing local ownership and data-driven decision-making. Funding primarily comes from USAID via the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). The program’s leader holds the title of Chief of Party, with Med Makumbuki serving in this role during its implementation.
Partners
History
RHITES-N was established in 2017 to address persistent health challenges in Northern Uganda, a region recovering from decades of conflict, with poor health infrastructure and high disease burdens. It was authorized under the PEPFAR Authorization, aligning with U.S. global health priorities and Uganda’s Health Sector Strategic Plan. Key events include its 2021 transition of HIV/TB services to local partners like the Joint Clinical Research Centre, reflecting a shift toward sustainability. The program evolved to support Uganda’s COVID-19 response in 2020-2022, enhancing health system resilience. As of its 2023 closeout, it continues through local entities, with no major expansions planned but a focus on sustaining gains.
Funding
RHITES-N began with an initial $69.7 million from USAID through PEPFAR, starting in 2017. Funding supported a six-year implementation phase, concluding in 2023, with no specified end date for ongoing local efforts. Additional funding was not detailed, but the budget covered a wide range of services across 475 parishes in Lango. Financing involved direct USAID grants to JSI and sub-awards to partners, emphasizing capacity building over temporary aid.
Implementation
The program employs a district-led, community-focused approach, integrating services at facility and community levels. Strategies include training health workers, improving data systems, and mobilizing communities via local leaders and youth engagement. Rollout occurred in phases, starting with infrastructure support and scaling to behavior change initiatives. There’s no fixed end date, as efforts persist through transitioned local management post-2023.
Related
External links
Social media
References
- ↑ "RHITES-N Lango Project". John Snow, Inc.. https://www.jsi.com/project/rhites-n-lango/. Retrieved 2025-03-26.
- ↑ "USAID RHITES-N Closeout". USAID. 2023-05-10. https://www.usaid.gov/uganda/news/celebrating-project-uganda-strengthened-access-health-care-services-over-2-million. Retrieved 2025-03-26.