Activities in Uganda

In developing countries, many people lose their lives because they are not able to receive adequate health care or medical services. In the health sector, the large contribution made by various partners including donor countries, private funds, and international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) is addressing the sustainable development goal No.3 on good health and well-being. JICA therefore, assists developing countries in attaining universal health coverage (UHC) under the framework of the SDGs.

One-third of the world's population faces water shortages, while over a billion people lack access to safe drinking water. Moreover, a child dies every eight seconds from a water-borne disease. Of the diseases found in developing countries, 80% are said to stem from unsanitary water. Food shortages caused by floods and inappropriate water allocation add to the multitude of water-related problems.

Health Improvement

Projects for Improvement of Health Infrastructure of Hospitals

JICA has been dedicated to improvement of health infrastructure at Regional Referral Hospitals (RRHs) over the past 20 years. Through "The Project for Improvement of Health Service System in Soroti Region" and "The Project for Improvement of Health Facilities and Supply of Medical Equipment in the Eastern Region of the Republic of Uganda," regional referral hospitals, general hospitals, and health centers in Eastern Uganda were rehabilitated and equipped with medical equipment from 2003 to 2008. "The Project for the Rehabilitation of Hospitals and Supply of Medical Equipment for Central Region of Uganda" targeted both Mubende and Masaka RRHs where facilities were rehabilitated, and medical equipment were provided in 2012. In 2015, "The Project for the Rehabilitation of Hospitals and Supply of Medical Equipment in the Western Region in Uganda" was completed where facilities such as out-patient department, theatre, and maternity ward were renovated. Through the project, Hoima and Kabale RRHs were rehabilitated and sets of medical equipment were provided to both hospitals as well as Fort Portal RRH. In 2021, “the Project for the Improvement of Regional Referral Hospitals in Northern Uganda” was completed at Arua, Gulu and Lira RRHs by strengthening hospital functionality through construction of decent hospital facilities and provision of medical equipment.

New Out-patient department at Lira RRH.

Health Service Improvement for Health Facilities (5S-CQI-TQM)

To improve the quality of health care delivery, Japan has been supporting the implementation of "5S-Continuous Quality Improvement (KAIZEN)- Total Quality Management (5S-CQI(KAIZEN)-TQM)" approach. 5S, which stands for Sort, Set, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain, is a management tool which originated in the Japanese manufacturing sector. It is a fundamental approach to improve productivity, quality, customer satisfaction, and safety. By establishing 5S, the quality of care and management is expected to improve whereby CQI (KAIZEN) and TQM will be accomplished.

The “5S-CQI(KAIZEN)-TQM” approach was rolled out to all Regional Referral Hospitals (RRHs) in the country through JICA’s Technical Cooperation Projects on Improvement of Health Service through Health Infrastructure Management - Phase 1 & 2. The projects had not only strengthened the management capacity of medical equipment, but also enabled all the target RRHs to set out the 5S activities and keep the good performance for improvement of their working.

In November 2021, MoH with support from JICA kicked off a new 5-year “Project on Patient Safety Establishment through 5S-CQI-TQM.” This is a milestone for improvement of patient safety management especially in medical and healthcare practices through the enhancement of 5S-CQI(KAIZEN)-TQM. The project is basically aimed at establishment of a safety culture in all target hospitals including 16 RRHs, Naguru National Referral Hospital, and Tororo General Hospital, by fostering managerial procedures for patient safety and promoting Hospital Safety Reporting Systems (HSRS). This is geared towards improved health service delivery.

Access To Safe Water

The population around the country is rapidly growing, especially in rural areas where access to basic needs, like water and sanitation, is often inadequate. Meanwhile, climate change accelerates water security issues countrywide and increasing natural disasters related to water put communities and people at risk. JICA, in collaboration with the Ministry of Water and Environment (MoWE),has extended infrastructure services to provide clean and safe water supply to rural communities, which helps people engage in gainful and productive activities.

Project for Operation & Maintenance for Rural Water Supply and Improved Hygiene and Sanitation

The project focused on improving the functionality and sustainability of existing water supply infrastructure and reducing the current stock of broken-down point water sources in rural areas around Central Uganda. The effort was also intended to promote financially rewarding activities for users through the multi-use of overhauled water infrastructure. JICA spearheaded the development of a new Direct Management System (DMS) + SUNDA (an automated payment system for boreholes) as a community management model for sustainability of water supply infrastructure in rural areas. JICA continues the cooperation and partnership with the MoWE to further this model for the benefit of all communities across the country during the forthcoming rollout and upscaling phase.

The Project for Rural Water Supply in Lake Kyoga Basin, Eastern Uganda

In 2017, a Grant Agreement was signed between the Governments of Uganda and Japan to provide grant aid of up to 1.706 billion yen for the Project for Rural Water Supply in Lake Kyoga Basin, Eastern Uganda. Through the Project, nine (9) piped water systems providing at least an additional 580 cubic meters of water each day were established to ensure improved access to clean and safe water for the communities around the area.

Environment

JICA seeks to safeguard the environment by supporting the sub-sector in Uganda and promoting approaches that conserve the natural environment, which plays a role in not just shaping human security and livable climate, but also improving social welfare and landscape conservation. This will help the country build a more sustainable and resilient economy.

Save the African Grey Parrots Project

This is a Grass-roots project implemented under a JICA-facilitated partnership between Chubu University and Uganda Wildlife Education Center (UWEC). The 4-year technical cooperation will undertake establishment of a Grey Parrot Conservation Centre, strengthening its functioning, and building a Parrot Conservation Model thus improving the livelihoods of the local population in Kibale National Park and Ngamba Island in Entebbe, Uganda.