Wa West District Launches Innovative Network of Practice to Boost Healthcare Collaboration

The Wa West District is pioneering a transformative approach to healthcare delivery through the pilot implementation of the “Network of Practice” (NoP), a strategic initiative aimed at fostering greater collaboration among formal health facilities, traditional health providers, and private practitioners. This innovative programme was officially discussed during the district’s Annual Performance Review Conference held at Ponyentanga.

Mr Emmanuel Kutina - Senior Physician Assistant in Charge for Poyentanga Health Center

Mr. Emmanuel Kutina, Senior Physician Assistant in Charge and Head of the Ponyentanga Sub-District, highlighted the district’s commitment to improving health outcomes by linking government health centers with traditional healers, drug vendors, traditional consultants, and private health clinics. “The goal is to bring quality healthcare closer to the people and ensure timely medical intervention,” he stated.

Launched in 2024, the NoP initiative seeks to address a critical gap where patients initially seek traditional remedies for illnesses that require formal medical attention. By integrating traditional and private providers into the referral system, the programme aims to facilitate prompt and appropriate responses, thereby reducing delays that could jeopardize patient health. Regulatory bodies, including the police, are actively involved to manage cases where delays could lead to adverse outcomes.

The pilot phase involves the Ponyentanga and Dorimon health centers, which have already begun to see positive impacts. Mr. Kutina emphasized that the programme is enhancing referral pathways, making it easier for traditional healers, drug sellers, and private clinics to direct complex cases to health centers. “We are optimistic that the Network of Practice will strengthen the collaboration among all healthcare stakeholders and significantly improve access to quality primary healthcare for residents,” he added.

The conference’s theme, “Improving Primary Health Care Service Delivery Through the Network of Practice (NoP) at the Sub-District Level,” focused on evaluating the programme’s progress, identifying challenges, and strategizing ways to maximize its impact. Discussions aimed to bridge existing gaps, foster stakeholder cooperation, and enhance the effectiveness of the NoP framework.

Madam Cecilia Kakariba - Wa West District Health Director

Madam Cecilia Kakariba, District Health Director for Wa West, announced that a key component of the initiative involves upgrading Ponyentanga Health Centre into a Model Health Centre. “This transformation will serve as a hub for best practices, training health staff, and strengthening partnerships with community-based providers,” she explained. The upgrade is designed to improve service delivery, support timely referrals from traditional and private providers, and bring healthcare services closer to hard-to-reach communities within the district.

The Wa West District’s pioneering efforts with the Network of Practice exemplify a progressive approach to primary healthcare, promising to deliver more accessible, coordinated, and effective medical services for its residents.