Key performance indicators for environmental health workers launched
“We want to improve on inspection making sure the people who are responsible do their part by instructing communities to regularly clean,” Dr Atwine said.
The permanent secretary at the Ministry of Health, Dr Diana Atwine, addressing participants during the launch of the key performance indicators for enviromental health workers. (Credit: A
NewVision Reporter
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The health ministry has launched the key performance indicators for environmental health workers to improve sanitation and hygiene in communities across the country.
Health Ministry permanent secretary, Dr Diana Atwine, says the key performance indicators target results of environmental management by the public taking personal responsibility. The indicators will also guide health inspectors and communities on what to do to reduce the disease burden.
The key indicators will be used in different aspects of environmental health including food and safety which contributes so much to disease outbreaks for example cholera.
The country is currently grappling with issues of sanitation and malaria not only in homes but also in institutions such as schools. Yet, 75% of the diseases are preventable because they are as a result of behaviour. For example, how we eat, the kind of water we take and how we manage the vectors around us for example mosquitos.
“We want to improve on inspection making sure the people who are responsible do their part by instructing communities to regularly clean,” Dr Atwine said.
She said the function of health inspection has always been there, however, the gap lies in performance, supervision, financing and evaluation of the interventions in the community.
Primary healthcare state minister Muhanga Margaret said during the past years, health inspectors would traverse communities to ensure homesteads have pit latrines, hand washing facilities and utensil drying racks. 
The Permanent Secretary for the Health Ministry, Dr Diana Atwine penned her signature during the launch of the key performance indicators. Looking on is the state minister for primary health care, Marget Muhanga. (Credit: Agnes Kyotalengerire)
The permanent secretary at the Ministry of Health, Dr Diana Atwine, poses for a group photo with participants during the launch of the key performance indicators for enviromental health workers. (Credit: Agnes Kyotalengerire)
"Health inspectors have now vanished," Muhanga said.
She urged the general public to live responsibly to reduce the diseases drastically. “If we are not healthy, then there is no productivity,” Muhanga noted.
The launch of the key performance indicators took place at Fair Way Hotel on Tuesday, December 10, 2024. The event was attended by officials from Word Health organisation, the health ministry, local government and civil society organisations.
Martha Naiga of National Water and Sewerage Corporation, said before the indicators are monitored, the local governments need to be supported to perform. For instance, the team in ministries and civil society organisations should support the monitoring and supervision.
“I envision partnerships, collaborations, roles and responsibilities for everybody. We do not want to be part of the problem but part of the solution,” Naiga said.