Health unit background

1.1 LOCATION OF THE UNIT

St. Francis Mbirizi Health Center III is located in the Industry zone in central ward Parish, Lwengo town council, Bukoto mid-west, Lwengo District. It is 32km from Masaka town, Masaka District along Masaka-Mbarara Highway. It is 0.8 Km from the highway and 0.4 km off Mateete road and 2.5km from the Lwengo District Headquarters.

1.2 A BRIEF HISTORY

St. Francis was constructed in 1994 considering the need to improve on accessibility to maternal health services mainly to the community of Mbirizi Catholic Parish as a clinic. The efforts and initiative to build this health unit were initiated by Rev. Fr. Kasumba Francis in conjunction with the community of Mbirizi catholic parish and Diocese of Masaka at large.

Some years later, the unit turned into a health center II and in 2001 turned into health center III.

At the inauguration, the first in-charge was Ms. Mazzi Florence followed by Mr. Kawuki William, Mr.Wasswa Esau, Ms. Sandra, Ms. Berna, Ms. Namirembe Prossy, Mr. Mutesasira Gonzaga and currently being headed by Mr. Kizito Alex.

In 1999, the unit also started a surgical outpatient clinic which was operated by Dr. Henry Mwesezi.

The facility is accredited by the ministry of health under the Uganda Catholic Medical Bureau, licensed by Uganda Medical and Dental practitioners Council annually, directly supervised by the DHO of Lwengo district and the DHC Masaka Diocese.

The health unit serves an average population of over 20,592 people annually from Lwengo, Ssembabule, Rakai, and other neighboring districts.

OWNERSHIP, LEADERSHIP AND UNIT OPERATIONS

The unit is a private-not-for-profit institution (PNFP) owned by Masaka Diocese under the umbrella of the Uganda catholic medical bureau. It provides its services in fulfillment of and adopts the mission of the Roman Catholic in Health in Uganda as approved by the Episcopal Conference.

In the provision of its services, the Unit is committed to a holistic approach of giving a comprehensive package of curative, preventive, promotive, and rehabilitative health care services to its target community.

Leadership 

The unit is headed by the health unit management committee and the current committee for the year 2021 is:

LWASSMPIJJA JOHN BAPTIST (CHAIRPERSON) – 0758334261

REV.FR.JOHN KENNEDY LUBEGA (PARISH PRIEST) – 0702427821

MR.KIZITO ALEX (SECRETARY/INCHARGE) -0706189164

MR.MWERUKA DAN (MEMBER) – 0759499060

WAKUZE RONALD (MEMBER) – 0700328149

MR.KIBIRIGE EMMANUEL (MEMBER) – 0776263481

MRS.KAKOOZA CISSY (MEMBER) –  0706661904

MRS. KASIMBI PATRICIA (MEMBER) – 0754039273

SSERWADDA HERMAN LAITY – 0756658214

PHILOSOPHY

Vision; St Francis Mbirizi health center strives to be the leading health facility in providing quality compassionate care and ensuring health for all.

Mission Statement:

In faithfulness to the mission of Christ, we provide professional, sustainable, and holistic services through partnership to enable the population to live their life to the full

Core Values

1. Client focus and responsiveness
2. Quality services
3. Equity
4. Respect
5. Professionalism, Ethics, and Integrity
6. Effective communication
7. Professional development
8. Transparency
9. Accountability
10. Partnerships
11. Teamwork
12. Community participation

We offer the following services.

SERVICE & TIME

1. OUT PATINENT SERVICES

Every day for 24hrs

2. INPATIENT SERVICES

Every day for 24hrs

3. NORMAL DELIVERIES

Every day for 24hrs

4. ANTENATAL CARE

Monday and Thursday 8:30 am-4 pm

5. DENTAL SERVICES

Mon-Friday 8:30 am -6:30 pm

6. LABORATORY SERVICES

Every day for 24hrs

7. IMMUNISATION

Mon-Fri 8:30 am-2:00 pm (static)

8. OUTREACH

Tuesday (Nkoma, Kyalutwaka, Musubiro, Lwenziga)

HIV TREATMENT/ART CLINIC

• Friday (adult) 8;30-1;00pm
• 1st Tue every month Pead ART clinic
• Adolescent clinic 3rd Tue of month
• EMTCT clinic every 2nd and last Tue of month
• HEPATITIS B VACCINATION

Every day 8:30 am -6:30 pm

STAFFING

The facility has 18 staff, 6 support staff, and 12 clinical staff. This staff is competent and available to serve above self.

ONGOING PROJECTS

There are several projects implement at Mbirizi health center and they are supported by some partners who include the Government, Micro Financing Partners in Africa, Masaka Diocese to mention but a few

i) SAFE BIRTH Project

The Microfinance partners through the safe birth project support mothers to ensure that they have a safe delivery of their babies. The partners provide UltraSound scanners for mothers who come to antenatal services (ANC). This project facilitates the facility staff to offer ANC services, for example, community sensitization and health education of mothers about the attendance of ANC and the importance of delivering in a hospital setting versus a home setting, reminding mothers about their ANC appointments through phone calls.

The project supports financially handicapped mothers to have delivery services by settling their medical fees and transportation fees in case of a referral.

MICROFINANCING Project;

The micro-financing project is also supported by the Microfinance partners in Africa to support the health center income projects for sustainability and poor mothers after delivery to start self-help projects. With support from the MPA partners, the health center has set rental houses which can be used by the community or the health center.

The funds are used to start up a small income-generating activity basing on the person’s wish and capability. it is either be a piggery or chicken project to improve the income status of poor mothers that come seeking maternal and child health care services.

RESULT BASED FINANCING

Mbirizi HC is one of the facilities implementing result-based financing from the government through the Ministry of Health which enables facilities to ensure that all people receive essential and good quality health services they need without suffering financial hardship. It also aimed at reducing the leading causes of maternal death which are hemorrhage, obstructed labor, and complications from abortion, all of which are preventable.