UGANDA: Aber Hospital, a Centre for Excellence in Quality Health Care Service Delivery in Uganda
St John XXIII health facility compund
Fr Isaac Ojok
St John XXIII Hospital Aber is a Catholic health facility under the registered trustees of Lira diocese in Northern Uganda. The facility was founded in 1953 first as a dispensary and later the facility grew and began providing health services to people. Other people say that the health facility also earlier provided health care to lepers who sought for assistance from the facility.
Later in 1969, the health facility officially became a hospital and it was given a name, Pope John XXIII Hospital Aber or in short Aber Hospital.
The hospital which is located approximately 70 Kms in a village known as Atapara, Oyam district, North West of Lira city is a Private Not for Profit (PNFP) facility placed at the service of poor population who are mainly peasant farmers. Around the hospital, majority live and survive on small scale enterprises to enhance their livelihoods.
Rev Fr. Dr. Samuel Okori is the Medical director of the hospital. In year 2020, the facility marked its golden jubilee celebrations, an occasion graced by the officials from the health ministry, religious men and women, civil and political leaders among other dignitaries.
The presence of the facility dedicated under the patronage of St John XXIII has continued to shine among the Private not For Profit (PNFP) health facilities in the region and the country at large.
In an interview with AMECEA correspondent Fr Dr Samuel Okori, the hospital director said Aber Hospital is among the first health facilities to provide the CT scan services in Lango sub region, the first in Northern Uganda, North West which is commonly known as West Nile. The hospital according to Dr Okori also has a qualified SANAS Laboratory. (SANAS) is an acronym which stands for South African National Accreditation System, meaning a laboratory accredited according to South African system.
The hospital director went on to note that all caesarian deliveries ( deliveries through operation) in Oyam District is at 100%, In patients admission is at 83%,Out Patient Department (OPD) at 75%, while normal deliveries at 80% among other contributions of Aber hospital to the Region.
Other Services being offered
Presently, the services being offered include the following medical disciplines; surgery, medicine, obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics, orthopedic, neonatology including a neonatal intensive care. Also HIV outpatient services, a nutrition unit and Emergency services.
Supporting facilities include a well-equipped pharmacy for in and outpatients, a radiology unit, CT scan.
He further disclosed that in 2023 alone, a new operating theatre complex became in use for general, orthopaedic and gynaecology surgery, a unit for peritoneal dialysis and a mortuary for 6 deceased persons and of late, the management also introduced Video endoscope system for gastroscopy and colonoscopy respectively.
Though the hospital has had great achievements, Fr. Okori revealed that they have had to learn some lessons in line with the need to offer financial protection to individuals from experiencing catastrophic health complications, need for community Health Interventions, health education and Promotion including disease prevention to be strengthened in the vicinities.
What makes Aber the best and unique among other Health facilities?
Focused leadership:
A lot of improvements have been realized since the appointment of Fr. Dr Samuel Okori as medical director Aber hospital. This is because of his continuous motivation of doctors, nurses and all staff of the hospital to provide high quality care to all patients including his hard work and strategic thinking towards the growth of the facility.
Dr Okori also stimulates the staff to follow courses to increase their medical knowledge and to attend conferences and scientific meetings. Additionally, on regular weekly meetings for the staff, patient problems of the past week at the different words are presented and discussed as well as recent local, regional and national developments.
At the weekly Continuous Medical Education (CME) meetings, each ward presents a specific subject of interest for the whole staff, and a clinical case is further presented by the doctor in charge and he or she is made to discuss with the staff in the presence of the patient. All these activities are initiated by the hospital director with the aim to increase the medical knowledge and quality care of patents by all staff members.
Coordinated care:
This is intended to provide high quality care to all patients, since cooperation and communication are essential between the doctor on duty, his/her colleagues of the ward and the supporting staff, as the pharmacist delivers the right medicines in time, the radiologist in- case imaging is needed and the laboratory for rapid biochemical tests of patient material such as blood, urine to support the diagnosis.
Since Aber is a referral general hospital for Lango, Acholi and Bunyoro, communication is needed between the management of the hospital and the health facility the patient was earlier admitted for proper referral and management.
Transparent pricing:
Transparent and affordable pricing for the community are faithful to the mission of Christ. The management has made the services at the hospital affordable. For example the cost for a Caesarean section is 50,000 UGX which is approximately (13.5 US Dollars) including admission, investigation, delivery and treatment.
Infection and Prevention Control (IPC)
In the recent Lango regional health assembly 2024, Aber hospital was awarded and recognized as the best hospital in Infection Prevention Control (IPC). This is a practice where plastic bags are not allowed in the hospital premises. This is to ensure healthy and productive environment.
Apart from being the best hospital in IPC, Aber hospital was awarded best general hospital in the region, this is due to the hard working, professional and committed staff and above all focused leadership being provided Fr. Dr Okori, the director.
Additionally, the hospital received certificate of accreditation from Uganda Episcopal Conference Health Commission in that the hospital met the requirements set for the Uganda Catholic Medical Bureau accreditation program for the hospitals. This means that Aber hospital will have privilege to receive complete range of support and services from Uganda Catholic Medical Bureau and other recommended organizations.
In his comment, Dr Okori said the certificate is a testimony of their commitment and hard work that out of the 33 UCMB hospitals in the country, Aber hospital is the best performing and is number one.
Apparently, plans are underway to open a nurse training school next year 2025 for nursing and midwife students.
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