This activity report documents the district engagement, facility assessment, and community dialogue activities implemented by the Malaria Youth Team (MYCU) in Bukedea District between July and September 2025. The activities were conducted to strengthen community participation, assess health service delivery, and address gaps in malaria prevention and response, particularly among vulnerable populations. Findings from these engagements aim to inform evidence-based interventions, improve accountability, and enhance health outcomes at Nalugai Health Centre III and its surrounding communities.
1. District Entry and Engagement Meeting
The Malaria Youth team conducted an entry and engagement meeting with the Bukedea District Health Team to provide updates on the GEF project and review progress made to date. The meeting focused on discussing the Quarter 2 (2025) GEF Community Scorecard findings from Nalugai Health Centre III, reviewing action points developed in July 2025, finalizing plans for the upcoming community dialogue, and scheduling a follow-up feedback meeting.
Key community burden issues highlighted included barriers to healthcare-seeking behavior such as menstrual stigma, tribal bias during patient registration, language barriers between Gisu and Teso communities, and limited access to family planning services due to stigma, information gaps, fear of side effects, and lack of spousal support. Additional challenges identified were long waiting times due to understaffing, safety and security concerns, infrastructure gaps, and challenges in accessing ambulance services.
2. Facility Tour – Nalugai Health Centre III
A repeat facility tour was conducted with youth representatives and community members to assess service delivery, infrastructure conditions, cleanliness, availability of beds, consultation rooms, waiting areas, and overall security. This exercise helped validate community concerns and track progress since the previous assessment.
3. Nalugai Community Dialogues – Kongunga Town Council
Community dialogues were conducted in Kongunga Town Council, a high malaria-burden area accounting for over 15% of malaria cases in Bukedea District. The dialogue reviewed Quarter 1 (2025) malaria data from DHIS2, highlighting poor performance indicators including high malaria prevalence, low antenatal care attendance, poor IPTp uptake, and high malaria incidence among pregnant women.
Four focused group discussions were held with adolescents and adults, facilitated by trained MYCU Champions. Participants assessed healthcare delivery using a 13-indicator questionnaire covering accessibility, waiting time, respectful care, service availability, infrastructure, cleanliness, safety, and responsiveness. Responses were scored on a scale of 1 (poor) to 3 (excellent).
Conclusion
The engagements provided critical insights into systemic gaps affecting malaria prevention and treatment. The findings will inform targeted community-led actions, strengthen district engagement, and guide follow-up interventions aimed at improving healthcare delivery and accountability in Bukedea District.
