Iassessing the Contributions of Administrative Decentralisation Policy in Health Service Delivery Systems in Kitgum District: a Case Study of Labongo Amida Health Center III in Labongo Amida Sub County

Abstract

The research was conducted in Kitgum district-Labongo Amida Sub County; the purpose of the study was to examine the contribution of Administrative Decentralization policy in health service delivery system. The specific objectives of the study were; to identify health services rendered by lower local government of Labongo Amida sub-county, Kitgum District, to assess the extent administrative decentralization policy has contributed to health service delivery in Labongo Amida Sub-county and to establish challenges/barriers to health service delivery system in decentralized system of governance in Labongo Amida sub-county, Kitgum district.

In terms of methodology, the researcher used the following methods/techniques during data collection among these methods included; interview and focus group discussion to elicit data or information from the respondents.

The findings established that, the major health services provided by the lower Local government of Labongo Amida sub-county to the community members of Labongo Amida sub-county included; Water and Sanitation, Family Planning (FP), Immunization, Vaccination and finally followed by Education on Health The findings also revealed that, Administrative decentralization policy has brought services closer and nearer to the community members not has it used to be under centralized system of governance thus ease of accessibilities of social services by the rural community members for example in Uganda now, there is Health Centre II in most parishes and bore hole in all most all villages respectively. These structures have proved capable of providing the basic health needs to the people resulting into healthier community of Labongo Amida sub-county. However, the only serious impediment to provision of health service delivery under decentrailsed system of governance is corruption and bribery if this evil spirit is dealt with without any favoritism then Ugandan especially tax payers would see and appreciate value for money in health service delivery.

In conclusion: Out of 100 % of participants reached, 70% said that, every village has a borehole and every homestead has a latrine. Access to boreholes and latrines has improved the health of the people since every homestead has access to boreholes and a latrine where they get clean water and do not defecate in the bush as it was before hence, the researcher therefore precisely concludes that, provision of health services under decentralized system of service delivery has greatly improved in term of accessibilities but not quality as witnessed in the case of Labongo Amida sub county in Kitgum District.

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