THE 6TH NATIONAL HEALTH CARE QUALITY IMPROVEMENT CONFERENCE, 3RD-5TH, DEC 2019

The ministry of health through the department for standards, Compliance, Accreditation, and Patient Protection is man- dated to coordinate the implementation of Quality Improvement (QI) initiatives in the Health sector. The QI conference marks the climax of QI initiatives in Uganda each year. The 6th National Health care QI Conference was held under the theme “Integrating Quality Improvement Approaches in All Service Delivery Areas to Improve Accountability for Health Outcomes” at Speke Resort Munyonyo from 3rd to 5th Deember 2019. The conference was officiated by the Minister of Health, Hon. Jane Ruth Aceng, who also launched the Patient Rights and Responsibilities Charter, the 5S-Continuous Quality Improvement, and Total Quality Management Implementation Guidelines for Uganda.

This annual conference pro- vides a platform for peer learning through showcasing QI work from across the country, coupled with QI work presentations from national and international experts. Researchers, Practitioners, Health Service Mangers, Policy Makers, and Academia take stock of what has worked and what has not worked during the year of implementing innovative and evidence based models of care in Uganda. Appropriate models of care in areas of service delivery, Human Resources for Health, Health Financing, Medicines, and Health Supplies Management, Governance, Health Information Management, Health Infrastructure, Community Based Care, and Patient Safety in the Uganda context were shared.

To improve the quality of health services, some models will be scaled up in the health facilities across the country. The director General of Health Services noted that Quality improvement Initiatives in Uganda have led to provision of safer, effective, efficient, accessible, equitable, and patient-centred care services with optimal professional performance, with the available resources and achieving consumer acceptability and satisfaction. Over 600 delegates came together from all levels of the health sector including; development and implementing partners, Health Care Service Providers, and Health Consumer Organizations.

President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief, Japan International Cooperation Agency, United States Agency for International Development, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Makerere University, Districts’ staff and facility mangers, and Regional referral Hospitals were particularly recognized by the Minister of Health for making important contributions that led to the success of this Conference