By Patrick Opio
Senior Communications Officer
Lira University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Jasper Ogwal Okeng has lauded the Center for International Reproductive Health Training (CIRHT), a program based at the University of Michigan, USA, for focusing on integrating family planning and comprehensive abortion care into health professional education.
While addressing an inception meeting of the Project’s 3rd Phase at Fresh World Hotel in Lira City on 5th June 2025, Prof. Ogwal Okeng said that CIRHT’s target of improving access to quality reproductive health services and reducing maternal mortality by empowering healthcare providers is a realistic and vibrant dream.
Lira University Team has for the third time won the grant amounting to USD 300,000 (UGX. 1,080,000,000) with the Principal Investigator (PI) being Ms Anna Grace Auma and Dr. Samson Udho and Dr. Okello James as Co-Principal Investigators(CO-PIs). Anna Grace is the Senior Lecturer and Dean of Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery.
The Project titled, “Improving the quality and client load of SRH services at Lira University and the Teaching Hospitals,” is being implemented from January 2025-January 2026
The goal of the third phase of the project is,” To Improve the quality and client load of SRH services at Lira University and the Teaching Hospitals.”
Lira University Deputy Vice Chancellor, Assoc. Prof. Okaka Opio Dokotum, overwhelmed with joy, had this to say, “This is the biggest, leading tangible, profound project reaped in health sector to benefit the University and the community in the region. We are extremely proud of the team of the investigators for their efforts in winning the three phases of the CIRHT projects accruing from research activities.”
Prof. Okaka Opio Dokotum added that reproductive health services are critical at every stage of life for adolescent girls and women. He reveals that Lira University, together with its partners, is committed to training of the next generation of doctors, nurses and midwives to be confident, compassionate leaders in their communities.
The Project PI, Anna Grace Auma observed that CIRHT-UM partners with medical, nursing and midwifery schools to meet client needs across the reproductive health continuum of care. Auma reveals that the integrated curriculum prepares graduates to provide family planning and contraceptive services, comprehensive abortion care and quality counseling.
She notes, “The project gives opportunity for the health workers and students to enhance their skills in simulation labs, reproductive health clinic attachments and internships,” adding that building capacity for students to strengthen practical skills in their clinical years through the use of skills labs and then by providing care to patients, under the supervision of senior health staff.
Anna Grace presented the details of CIRHT projects as below:
PHASE III: STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
The PI reveals the strategic objectives of the Phase3 project as establishing a Model Integrated Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Clinic to serve as a One-Stop Center, enhancing Sexual Reproductive Health Data Capture, Validation, and Utilization and engaging the Community for an Increase in Service Utilization (Client Load)
PHASE III: PLANNED ACTIVITIES (1)
- Renovation of FP & Gynecology clinic & Maternity ward at LUH and LRRH
- Provision of signages at LUH
- Remodeling of the Pediatrics ward at LUH and Adolescent clinics
- Installation of curtains at the Maternity ward at LUH
PHASE III: PLANNED ACTIVITIES (2)
- Patient satisfaction survey to understand the need
- Provision of health education materials, including TV screens
- Provision of equipment to support SRH services
- Support for the data management system at both hospitals
- Mobilization and community engagement meetings
PHASE III: PLANNED ACTIVITIES (3)
- Construction of a patient shelter at the Gynae ward of LRRH
- Renovation of the Gynecology ward of LRRH
- Provision of QI token to the clinical staff to improve the quality of care at LRRH and LUH
- Radio Talk shows
- Provision of QI token to the best-performing Journals
- Transforming the QI Journals into publishable papers. This is the 3rd Phase of the project.
Summary and achievements of the past two completed phases (Phase one and Phase Two)
PHASE I OVERVIEW
The project title was “Sexual Reproductive Health Resource Center (SRHRC), Project, Lira University”, with the implementation period from January 2021 to June 2022
The Grant amount was USD 250,000 (UGX. 900,000,000), with Ms. Anna Grace Auma, Senior Lecturer as the Principal Investigator, Dr. Samson Udho and Dr. Gasthony Alobo being Co-Principal Investigators for the project.
CIRHT-UM, PhaseI funded underGrant number SUBK00016644
The goal for phase one was to establish a Sexual Reproductive Health Resource Center (SRHRC) at Lira University to support training of pre-and in-service skilled health personnel (Doctors and Midwives). At the closure of the project phase, it was achieved.
PHASE I KEY ACHIEVEMENT (1)
CURRICULUM
- Reviewed midwifery curriculum
- Integrated FP and SRHR in the curriculum
- Integrated ICM Essential Competency
PHASE I: KEY ACHIEVEMENT (2)
CAPACITY BUILDING
- Trained 150 pre-service midwives/nurses and doctors on FP, PAC, and VCAT
- Trained 50 preceptors, faculty on FP, PAC, and VCAT
- Trained 50 other staff on VCAT
PHASE I: KEY ACHIEVEMENT (3)
INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT
- Remodeled skills laboratory
- Built patient waiting shed
- Strengthened capacity for online engagement
- Procured equipment for surgery and training
PHASE TWO
PHASE II OVERVIEW
Implementation period was June 2021- June 2022
Project title was Strengthening Education, Research, and Service Delivery for Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights in Lira, Northern Uganda (SERS-SRHR) Project.
The Grant amount was USD319,000 (UGX. 1,148,400,000), with Ms. Anna Grace Auma still the PI and Dr. Samson Udho as Co-PI.
The second phase goal was “To strengthen the capacity of faculty at Lira University to engage in Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) research.”
PHASE II: KEY ACHIEVEMENT (1)
RESEARCH ENVIRONMENT
- Established and equipped LUREC Office
- Supported the LUREC Administrator (Salaries)
- Trained 40 members of LUREC
- Established and e-Libray.
PHASE II: KEY ACHIEVEMENT (2)
RESEARCH GRANTS
- Awarded 20 Micro Research Grants (20 Million each)
- Conducted 12 trainings to the 20 awardees on research
- Established an E-library to support research resources
PHASE II: KEY ACHIEVEMENT (3)
RESEARCH DISSEMINATION
- Organized a joint National conference on SRHR with Gulu University
- Led a delegation of 09 researchers to Paris, France, and Kigali, Rwanda for International Conferences
- Had several local conferences attended by the research teams
- Of the 20 research seed grants, 75% have been published in peer-reviewed journals
The Faculty Dean, Anna Grace acknowledges the following for their joint efforts;
- Our Funders, CIRHT-UM
- Top Management, Lira University
- Chair and Members of TAC
- Co-Principal Investigators
- Collaborating partners
