Despite the heavy rain season, Tuesday 22nd October was a sunny morning, a clear sign of victory for the day. That day all roads were leading to Koch Goma Health Centre III in Uganda's mid Northern District of Nwoya where the official launch of the "Enabling Health in Acholi" project took place.

The event was graced by Uganda's Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Oulanyah, Minister of Health,  Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, HE the Ambassador of the United States of America Deborah Malac and HE the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium Rudi Veestraeten.

It was also attended by the Resident Representative of Enabel in Uganda, Christelle Jocquet among other notable local government dignitaries and like-minded health implementing agencies.
Prior to the launch event, the project office in Gulu was also officially inaugurated. The project team have now rolled sleeves unto full range implementation. The four year (2019 – 2022) project will be implemented through the Results Based Financing (RBF) approach.

RBF provides financial incentives, equipment and materials to health facilities if agreed results have been achieved. It also subsidizes patient fees especially in private –not-for-profit health facilities and provides incentives to health workers.

The project will increase access to quality health services and strengthen emergency referral systems by enhancing infrastructure while focusing largely on maternal and child health.

While officiating at the launch, Health Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng noted that the project will stimulate both the demand and supply side of the health services but also encourage individuals, households and communities to receive quality health services and vaccines.

Dr Aceng expects maternal mortality in the region to reduce under this initiative. She however called for more efforts  to educate the mothers about the need to deliver in health facilities.
The Deputy Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oulanyah hailed the results based financing approach and noted that if adopted by all government institutions, quality of service provision would improve. 

Deborah Malac, the US Ambassador to Uganda said the US invests an equivalent of $500m in the health sector in Uganda while the Belgian ambassador to Uganda, Rudi Veestraeten, urged government to inject more resources into the health sector if it is to realise a more productive and healthy population.
Enabel piloted the Results Based Financing approach in 12 districts in West Nile and Rwenzori regions of Uganda. The model was tested in forty four (44) health facilities in Rwenzori and thirty nine (39) health facilities in West Nile.

At a global level, Enabel has implemented RBF in Cambodia, Benin, Rwanda, Burundi, Peru, Niger and Senegal and the lessons learnt in these countries helped to accelerate the initiative in Uganda.
Benefiting facilities

GULU DISTRICT
1 Angaya HCIII
2.Anywee HCIII
3.Baldege HCIII
4.Cwero HCIII
5.Laroo HCIII
6.Pabwo HCIII
7.Patiko HCIII
8.Awach HCIV

AMURU DISTRICT
1.Bibia HCIII
2.Kaladima HCIII
3.Lacor Amur HCIII
4.Lacor Pabbo HCIII
5.Olwal HCIII
6.Pabbo HCIII Govt
7.Labongogali HCIII
8.Otwee HCIII
9.Pawel HCIII
10. Atiak HCIV

NWOYA DISTRICT
1.Anaka General Hospital
2.Alero HCIII
3.Koch Goma HCIII
4.Koch Lii HCIII
5.Purongo HCIII

OMORO DISTRICT
1.Lalogi HCIV
2.Bobi HCIII
3.Lacor Opit HCIII
4.Lanenober HCIII
5.Lapainat HCIII
6.Odek HCIII
7.Ongako HCIII
8.Loyoajonga HCIII