Health facilities in Adjumani District have received a Shs 102 million boost to strengthen family planning services for both local residents and the growing refugee population.
The support, coordinated through the Ministry of Health, Reach A Hand Uganda, ACODEV, and the District Health Office, aims to reduce unintended pregnancies and curb unsafe abortions—both of which remain high in the area.
Despite the new supplies, Adjumani continues to struggle with frequent stockouts of essential medicines, which strain already overstretched health services.
Targeting Over 100,000 People Across West Nile
According to Irene Tobias Letio, a project officer with ACODEV in Adjumani, a major family planning project is underway from 2023 to 2025 across three districts—Adjumani, Moyo, and Obongi.
“Our target is to reach 100,041 men and women with family planning services, and 66,337 of those are here in Adjumani,” Letio revealed. “We’re working under the UDecide initiative, which empowers individuals to make informed choices about their reproductive health and family size.”
The initiative focuses on often-overlooked groups—especially adolescents aged 12 to 24 and men over 35. These age groups face significant barriers to access and awareness.
Grassroots Campaigns to Change Mindsets
Henry Leku Lulu, the Assistant District Health Officer in charge of maternal and child health, said health workers are intensifying community engagement.
“We’re grateful for the support. It will boost service delivery, particularly in family planning. Families must be encouraged to plan for manageable household sizes,” Lulu noted.
Officials have launched multiple grassroots activities, including market dialogues, male engagement forums, and community outreaches.
These platforms are designed to debunk myths and promote open discussions about contraception and reproductive health.
Special attention is also being given to adolescent sexual and reproductive health rights. The district is working to expand youth-friendly services across all sub-counties.
Rising Demand from Refugee Populations
Adjumani’s large refugee population continues to place immense pressure on health systems. Resident District Commissioner Peter Taban Data acknowledged this challenge.
“The high numbers of refugees stretch our services thin. But the government is committed to improving access for both refugees and host communities,” he said.
Stakeholders agree that the road ahead demands more than just medical supplies. They’re calling for increased investment in health infrastructure, better supply chain systems, and the training and retention of frontline health workers.
As the campaign to improve family planning services gains momentum, officials say the focus remains on empowering every individual—regardless of age or nationality—to make informed, healthy choices for a better future.
