CIRHT in Partnership with Lira University project at Lira University meets it targets, planned indicators
By Patrick Opio
Senior Communications Officer
The Centre for International Reproductive Health Training in Partnership with Lira University has made significant strides in improving Sexual and reproductive health outcomes in the region.
Lira University Project Implementation 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, the Dean Faculty Nursing and Midwifery.
Other Team members are Dr. Samson Udho, Mr. Ekung Emmanuel, and Dr. Okello James as Co-Principal Investigators (CO-PIs).
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-December 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.”
As a summary of the three phases of CIRHT projects the university has altogether won, Ms Anna Grace Auma, explains the achievements of their implementations as below:
1. Establishment of Sexual and Reproductive Health Resource Centre: A Sexual Reproductive Health Resource Centre was set up at Lira University to support training for healthcare professionals, including doctors and midwives at both pre-service and in-service level.
2. Skills Laboratory Equipment: The Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery’s skills laboratory was remodelled and equipped to enhance students’ practical skills in reproductive health and maternity care.
3. Capacity Building for Healthcare Workers: Over 150 pre-service midwives, nurses, and doctors received training on family planning, post-abortion care, and value clarification and attitudinal transformation (VCAT). Additionally, over 50 preceptors, faculty members, and staff underwent similar training.
4. Research Enhancement: CIRHT strengthened research capacity through trainings and workshops, awarding seed grants to 20 research groups. Impressively, over 85% of their research has been published in peer-reviewed journals.
5. Curriculum Development: The midwifery curriculum was reviewed and integrated with family planning and sexual reproductive health content, ensuring graduates are equipped to provide comprehensive reproductive health services.
6. Research Dissemination: A joint national conference on sexual reproductive health was organized with Gulu University, promoting the dissemination of research findings and best practices from the seed grants awarded.
7. Quality Improvement Initiatives: Quality improvement initiatives were implemented at Lira University Hospital and Lira Regional Referral Hospital, focusing on enhancing sexual reproductive health services through clinic remodelling, skills enhancement, and improved data capture and utilization.
8. Organized and co-hosted the CIRHT-GULU 2025 international Conference: Co-hosts the just concluded 3rd International CIRHT Conference, held in Gulu City at Acholi Inn, Hotel from 17th to 19th September 2025, this was attended by over 400 delegates, both national and international guests.
