Civil Servants Urged to Boost Community Engagements

By Anthony Kushaba

Civil servants in Ntungamo District have been urged to prioritize community engagement as a strategy to curb disease prevalence and foster economic growth.

The call was made by Bibiana Kakinoni, the District Secretary for Health and Social Services, during the closure of a two-day training on human rights and gender-based approaches to malaria prevention. The training, organized by  Ntungamo district local government  in partnership with    Mayanja Memorial Hospital Foundation with support TASO global fund malaria project , took place at the Ntungamo District Council Hall.

Kakinoni emphasized the importance of civil servants actively working with communities to address pressing health challenges and promote sustainable development. “Strong community engagement not only reduces the risk of diseases like malaria but also contributes to the overall socio-economic progress of our district,” she said.

Bridget Kembabazi, the Assistant District Health Officer in charge of Maternal and Child Health, commended the training as a critical step in enhancing service delivery. She lauded Mayanja Memorial Hospital Foundation for its initiative, noting that the skills gained would enable participants to better serve the public.

The training drew participants from various sectors, including community development officers and in-charges of Health Center IIIs across the district.

Joseph Byarugaba, a district-based program officer with Mayanja Memorial Hospital Foundation, highlighted the foundation’s commitment to equipping local leaders with practical skills and knowledge to address health challenges using  human rights and gender-sensitive approaches to curb diseases such as malaria.

The initiative reflects a broader effort to empower civil servants in Ntungamo District to drive meaningful change in their communities through proactive engagement and collaboration.