Service Delivery Challenges Research Articles

Integrated development plan strategies for service delivery in Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality

Background: Following the end of apartheid in 1994, the democratic government recognised the importance of local government as a key vehicle for service delivery.Aim: This article examined the effectiveness of the integrated development plan (IDP) strategies of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality (NMMM) as a public service delivery tool.Setting: In South Africa, poor service delivery has remained a challenge. This has been attributed to the challenge of transparency and accountability. Thus, the lack of access to basic needs is more profound at the local government level. While urban centres have access to certain basic facilities, rural communities such as Walmer and Motherwell townships remain underdeveloped.Methods: The study used a qualitative research design for data collection and analysis. Thirty participants were purposively selected among municipal officials, ward councillors and community members for semi-structured interviews. Thematic data analysis was used for the analysis of data.Results: Despite the IDP’s well-structured strategic framework, various challenges, such as insufficient community participation, inadequate resource allocation and a lack of essential planning skills among officials hindered its effective implementation.Conclusion: The study concluded that for the IDP to achieve its aims, its implementation should be evidence-based and responsive to community needs. Effective service delivery requires a fundamental transformation in municipal leadership and public participation.Contribution: The article presents the challenge of public service delivery within the context of the IDP strategies in a specific municipality. It serves as a signpost for understanding the implementation of the IDP as a public service delivery strategy.

Navigating the Challenges of Primary Health Care in Selected Local Government Authorities in Tanzania: Bringing Lipsky’s Theory in Its Requisite Panorama

Introduction The robust delivery of primary health care (PHC) service is a complex interplay of key stakeholders, including policymakers, citizens, the government, parliamentarians, academics, and street-level bureaucrats - health staff in this context. While each of these players has a stake in ensuring robust PHC delivery, this paper specifically examines the role of street-level bureaucrats (SLBs) in dealing with service delivery challenges in Local Government Authorities (LGAs) in Tanzania. Although the engagement with these actors gained momentum in the decentralization reforms of the 1990s, their contribution has been slow. The question remains: How can SLBs cope with LGAs’ predicaments to enhance service delivery? Lipsky’s (1980) theory focuses on this contention by proposing that under challenging encounters, SLBs can develop specific patterns of practices to deal with the status quo. Methods Data were collected through interviews with policymakers at Mvomero District and Moshi Municipal Councils. To assess the effectiveness of primary health care services attributes such as authority, accountability, and access were closely examined. A thematic review of the literature was conducted to corroborate the findings from the interviews. Results The findings indicate that SLBs can cope with complex and challenging situations related to PHC delivery by rationing resources, simplifying their work environment, or exiting from turbulent environments. Although the engagement of SLBs gained momentum during the decentralization reforms of the 1990s, their contribution has been slow. The primary factor hindering their effectiveness is the inability to establish a mutually beneficial relationship between the Central Government and LGAs. Conclusion The government's attempts to control SLBs' behaviors, including limiting their intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, undermine their client responsiveness. Empowering SLBs and fostering a more collaborative relationship between the central government and LGAs is essential to enhance PHC delivery.

Primary health care in Nigeria: best practices and quality of care in Nigeria

IntroductionThe significance of Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCCs) in fostering health equity and enhancing health outcomes cannot be overstated, especially in low and middle-income countries. This paper’s primary area of interest is to create evidence and innovation for PHCs, with a particular emphasis on underserved groups. Thus, the study aimed to investigate the state of primary health care in Nigeria, with a particular emphasis on best practices, challenges to best practices, and quality of care.MethodologyA cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted to collect secondary data from 29 primary healthcare facilities. The data was collected using staff and facility activity indicators over a year (2022). Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used to analyze the collected data.ResultOur study data showed that all of the PHCCs have service rosters that can be utilized for follow-up with patients. About 85 (84.1%) respondents have reported that deliveries were taken by the reporting midwife, and 55 (54.5%) respondents indicated that their facilities provided on-the-job training to their staff. This is considered as the best practice in the facility. However, the majority of the PHCCs (71.3%) lacked assessment teams, which was found to have a negative impact on the quality of healthcare provided at these facilities (p < 0.05).ConclusionOur study underscores the pressing need for primary healthcare services in Nigeria. Government authorities and healthcare providers must take action to overcome the challenges of limited capacity, service delivery, and quality of care. By adopting effective strategies and ensuring access to primary healthcare, citizens’ health outcomes can be greatly enhanced. Thus, it is essential to revamp and optimize healthcare facilities to establish an efficient healthcare system that caters to the needs of all citizens.

E-governance under the framework of open governance in Georgia: current situation, problems and opportunities

PurposeThe paper explores how local authorities, particularly under the Open Government Partnership (OGP), respond to e-governance challenges in Georgia.Design/methodology/approachA weighted scoring system is adopted to assess e-governance in six OGP local authorities (Akhaltsikhe, Khoni, Kutaisi, Ozurgeti, Rustavi, and Tbilisi) in four areas, including access to information, digital service delivery, data management, and citizen engagement. Moreover, website analysis with a focus on transparency and citizen engagement supplements the evaluation.FindingsThe findings illustrate that the six local authorities have made certain accomplishments in e-governance and taken steps towards open government; however, these efforts lack coordination and systematic planning. Tbilisi embraces open governance principles with comprehensive action plans, strong transparency commitment, and engaging digital platforms. Kutaisi demonstrates notable progress with user-friendly digital platforms and a streamlined open data portal, emphasizing transparency. Rustavi shows significant development in digital service delivery and citizen engagement and a reputation as a transparent local government. Akhaltsikhe faces challenges in electronic service delivery and citizen engagement. Ozurgeti also encounters obstacles in information disclosure and electronic service delivery, while Khoni lags in information accessibility and citizen engagement.Originality/valueThis research is novel in studying the level of e-government among OGP local members in Georgia by a scoring system. The analysis will empower the government to proactively modify and adjust the situation on a regional scale, aligning with the challenges inherent in the country’s unique experiences.

The significance of total quality management implementation challenges in service delivery

Background: Many of the total quality management (TQM) implementation challenges substantiated in the literature seem oriented towards various facets, including organisation, management, or clients, casting doubts about the effectiveness of the concept in service delivery. The ever-increasing demand for quality services solicits more attention to the desired performance outcomes that define and reflect more of clients’ needs. Such demand presents quality management concerns for many healthcare organisations targeting service delivery.Aim: The TQM concept gets less logical given the increasing challenges in its implementation for service delivery. This research aimed to determine the significance of such challenges.Setting: Queen ‘Mamohato Memorial Hospital (QMMH), Lesotho.Methods: Based on a questionnaire survey of 297 participants, comprising 98 staff and 199 clients, the study obtains survey data from a 5-year result of TQM implementation attempts at Queen ‘Mamohato Memorial Hospital (QMMH), Lesotho.Results: TQM demonstrates great potential to support service delivery as a strategic approach. The study isolates the management-oriented facet of TQM implementation challenges and finds them considerably influenced by the various TQM components.Conclusion: This study establishes and classifies the TQM implementation challenges in QMMH, which are mostly organization, management, and client-oriented. It further addresses assumptions relating to their classifications. Overall, the result suggests that the significance of the underlying challenges in service delivery is more management-oriented.Contribution: The study provides directions that strengthen the effectiveness of the TQM concept and its implementation. It suggests the capacity-building of a hospital’s management team drives TQM implementation.

Municipal supply chain performance through information sharing and stakeholder collaboration

Background: The effectiveness of information sharing between municipalities and their stakeholders remains an important area for consideration in the improvement of supply chain performance.Aim: This article responds to municipal service delivery challenges in South Africa by testing a model for improving supply chain performance (SCP) through information sharing (IS) and stakeholder collaboration in municipalities.Setting: The setting includes two metropolitan municipalities in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa.Method: The study employed a cross-sectional survey involving 370 supply chain role players. Hypothesised relationships were tested using structural equation modelling.Results: The results revealed that information sharing is positively associated with stakeholder trust, governance and administration and stakeholder relationship continuity. Stakeholder trust, governance and administration, and stakeholder relationship continuity are positively related to the fluency of stakeholder collaboration. Full mediation between the constructs was observed for all relationships tested in the study.Conclusion: The article demonstrates the application of information sharing through, stakeholder trust, governance and administration, and stakeholder relationship continuity in predicting supply chain performance in South African municipalities. The overall outcome of the study is that information sharing and stakeholder relationships are essential drivers of municipal supply chain performance.Contribution: The study contributes to supply chain management literature by providing insights into how municipalities can utilise information to improve stakeholder relationships and enhance service delivery performance. This study could unlock some keys to overcoming municipal service delivery challenges in South Africa.

260 Barriers to the Delivery of Obstetric Care Within Primary Health Centres (PHC) in India- a Scoping Review

Abstract Aim This scoping review aimed aims to identify challenges in delivering obstetrics care within PHCs in India, using the 6 WHO healthcare building blocks. Method A literature search covered PubMed, MEDLINE databases, and Google Scholar. Studies published from 2012 to 2022, discussing PHC-based obstetrics care in India, were included based on predefined criteria. Title, , and full-text screenings were conducted using Covidence, involving 2 reviewers for screening and 1-2 reviewers for conflict resolution. Data extraction on the 6 WHO building blocks was performed by 4 reviewers. Results Twenty-two studies were included for final review, mostly cross-sectional (59%), mainly from the state of Bihar (23%). Service delivery (77%) and health workforce (73%) were the most extensively discussed building blocks. Leadership and governance were the least discussed (14%). Challenges in service delivery encompassed limited antenatal care uptake, inadequate emergency obstetrics care and adjunct services, inadequate infrastructure, equipment and space and poor transport, and onward referral services. Health workforce issues included staffing levels and competency and training deficiencies in existing staff. Conclusions This review highlights significant challenges in obstetrics care delivery within Indian PHCs in India, primarily related to service delivery and health workforce. Our scoping review identified literature gaps within the four building blocks outside service delivery and health workforce, and geographical literature gaps from the Northeast of India. PHCs play a crucial role in the equitable delivery of obstetrics services that can reach the most underserved population across India. It is imperative that surgical and obstetrics plan strategies include primary care within them.

Public Relations and Service Delivery in Local Government in Uganda: Assessing the Impact of Public Relations and Challenges in Service Delivery in the Case of Gulu District Local Government in Northern Uganda

Public Relations and Service Delivery in Local Government in Uganda: Assessing the Impact of Public Relations and Challenges in Service Delivery in the Case of Gulu District Local Government in Northern Uganda

Research and Development Collaborations Within the Context of a South African Developmental State

The article explores the significance of research and development (R&amp;D) collaborations and partnerships between government and academia as a strategy to be employed in shaping the developmental agenda in states. The authors provide both a conceptual view and findings from primary data which interrogated the notion that a ‘research community’ should be anchored on its collaborative efforts and continuously strive for partnership creations with the aim of transforming societies and serving the public. An observation is made on the prospects of South Africa’s provincial governments and academia forging collaborations and partnerships with an open approach and common goals in order for the collaborations to have a purposeful meaning to the public. The current state of affairs in South Africa as alluded to in the National Development Plan (NDP) warrants for a developmental agenda that is dominated by knowledge production, dissemination and its uptake thereof. This context therefore enjoins different role players such as government and academia/research institutions and the private sector to work together and solve developmental problems such as poverty, inequality, unemployment and service delivery challenges. It is through initiatives such as R&amp;D collaborations and partnerships that these aforementioned challenges can be curbed; however, this requires these sectors to do things differently. The Public Management Reform Theory provided the theoretical framework in this article as it advocates for an improved public sector’s administrative structures, coordination, management and operations. In addition, this theory envisages a better and modernized public service that delivers services in an effective and efficient manner. The theory points out to a paradigm shift in terms of how the public sector is traditionally perceived to one that is modernized, decentralized, customer friendly and economically and socially reformed. The methodology adopted in this article includes a qualitative research method, desktop research and document analysis. There is substantial primary data and secondary literature in the public domain that was used to substantiate arguments advanced in this article. It should be noted that over the years, there has been on-going academic conversations on research collaborations between academia and the public sector as a prerequisite for socio-economic development; therefore, this article is further contributing to this debate.

Herausforderungen in der Primärversorgung von Patientinnen und Patienten mit Long‑/Post-COVID

Zusammenfassung Hintergrund Hausärztinnen und Hausärzte (HÄ) bilden die primäre Anlaufstelle für Patientinnen und Patienten mit unklaren Symptomen. Dies zeigt sich zurzeit am Beispiel der postakuten Infektionssyndrome von Long‑/Post-COVID (L/PC) mit einer Vielfalt systemischer, unspezifischer, langanhaltender Symptomkomplexe nach durchgemachter SARS-CoV-2-Infektion. Dieser Beitrag beleuchtet die L/PC-Versorgung aus der hausärztlichen Perspektive und beschreibt Erfahrungen, Herausforderungen und Informationsbedarfe. Methoden Im September 2022 wurde eine anonyme Befragung aller in Deutschland niedergelassenen HÄ durchgeführt. Die Datenerhebung erfolgte anhand eines selbstentwickelten Onlinefragebogens. Die Daten wurden mithilfe deskriptiver Analysen ausgewertet. Ergebnisse sind nach Geschlecht, Alter und Region gewichtet. Ergebnisse Die Befragung erreichte einen Rücklauf von 2,1 % aller HÄ in Deutschland. Insgesamt gaben 93 % (n = 819) der HÄ an, bereits Patienten und Patientinnen mit L/PC versorgt zu haben. Nach Aussage der HÄ waren häufig empfohlene bzw. verordnete Maßnahmen nichtmedikamentöse Therapien, Verlaufsbeobachtungen und Langzeitkrankschreibungen. Teilnehmende HÄ gaben an, sie seien auf Hürden bei der Diagnose, Behandlung, Weiterbehandlung und Koordinierung gestoßen. Die größten Informationsbedarfe zu L/PC wurden im Bereich der Therapie (inklusive Medikation), Pathophysiologie und Rehabilitation gesehen. Diskussion Die Primärversorgung von Patientinnen und Patienten mit L/PC steht vor Herausforderungen. Der Aufbau regionaler Netzwerke unter Einbeziehung von HÄ, Spezialambulanzen und Rehabilitationseinrichtungen und ein gezielter Informationsaustausch zwischen Forschung und Praxis könnten die Möglichkeiten zur Umsetzung einer bedarfsgerechten Versorgung von Patientinnen und Patienten mit L/PC verbessern.

RURAL MIDWIFERY: OVERCOMING BARRIERS TO PRACTICE

Access to the delivery of health services, including midwifery, is a challenge for rural parturient women due, in part, to the closure of practices and centralization of health care services The Centre for Rural Health Research and the Midwives' Association of British Columbia (MABC) Rural Midwifery Committee convened a meeting in June 2008 consisting of researchers and rural midwives with the objective of clearly identifying barriers to practice. Barriers and potential solutions to the sustainability of rural midwifery arose from the discussion. The article divides the barriers into six themes: professional and social barriers, health service delivery challenges, education challenges, integration issues, inadequate models of remuneration for care in rural environments, and geographic barriers to practice. Potential solutions and recommendations are explored in order to reduce or eliminate barriers to access and move towards a sustainable future for rural midwifery.

Tackling syndemics by integrating infectious and noncommunicable diseases in health systems of low- and middle-income countries: A narrative systematic review.

The co-occurrence of infectious diseases (ID) and non-communicable diseases (NCD) is widespread, presenting health service delivery challenges especially in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). Integrated health care is a possible solution but may require a paradigm shift to be successfully implemented. This literature review identifies integrated care examples among selected ID and NCD dyads. We searched PubMed, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Web of Science, EMBASE, Global Health Database, and selected clinical trials registries. Eligible studies were published between 2010 and December 2022, available in English, and report health service delivery programs or policies for the selected disease dyads in LMICs. We identified 111 studies that met the inclusion criteria, including 56 on tuberculosis and diabetes integration, 46 on health system adaptations to treat COVID-19 and cardiometabolic diseases, and 9 on COVID-19, diabetes, and tuberculosis screening. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, most studies on diabetes-tuberculosis integration focused on clinical service delivery screening. By far the most reported health system outcomes across all studies related to health service delivery (n = 72), and 19 addressed health workforce. Outcomes related to health information systems (n = 5), leadership and governance (n = 3), health financing (n = 2), and essential medicines (n = 4)) were sparse. Telemedicine service delivery was the most common adaptation described in studies on COVID-19 and either cardiometabolic diseases or diabetes and tuberculosis. ID-NCD integration is being explored by health systems to deal with increasingly complex health needs, including comorbidities. High excess mortality from COVID-19 associated with NCD-related comorbidity prompted calls for more integrated ID-NCD surveillance and solutions. Evidence of clinical integration of health service delivery and workforce has grown-especially for HIV and NCDs-but other health system building blocks, particularly access to essential medicines, health financing, and leadership and governance, remain in disease silos.

Impact of Quality Service Delivery Challenges on Customer Satisfaction in the Banking Industry: A Case of Stanbic Bank, Zambia

Since Zambia's 1991 economic liberalization, there has been notable growth in the retail banking sector. Quality search is perhaps the most critical consumer trend in recent years because consumers are now more demanding than ever. Customers have diverse options in an era of rapid global change, often relying on brand names for complex financial services. Hence, it becomes imperative to delve into the challenges surrounding quality service delivery and customer satisfaction. A mixed methods approach was adopted, and involved 340 bank customers who attended a questionnaire and 20 customers and bank staff who participated in in-depth interviews. . The study found that the majority (43.8%) of customers were generally satisfied with the services at the bank. The study also found that tangibility and assurance were the service quality dimensions that highly influenced customer satisfaction perception at Stanbic Bank. Tangibility had a positive influence on customer satisfaction (β=0.153), and a p-value (0.028) less than the selected level of significance (0.05), an indication of the influence of tangibility on customer satisfaction. The study concluded that customer satisfaction and loyalty depended on the quality of services the bank provided. At the same time, the study's practical implications suggest that the bank should focus on improving reliability, responsiveness, and empathy to enhance customer satisfaction.

Comparing health systems readiness for integrating domestic violence services in Brazil, occupied Palestinian Territories, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

Domestic violence (DV) is a global prevalent health problem leading to adverse health consequences, yet health systems are often unprepared to address it. This article presents a comparative synthesis of the health system's pre-conditions necessary to enable integration of DV in health services in Brazil, Nepal, Sri Lanka and occupied Palestinian Territories (oPT). A cross-country, comparative analysis was conducted using a health systems readiness framework. Data collection involved multiple data sources, including qualitative interviews with various stakeholders; focus-group discussions with women; structured facility observations; and a survey with providers. Our findings highlight deficiencies in policy and practice that need to be addressed for an effective DV response. Common readiness gaps include unclear and limited guidance on DV, unsupportive leadership coupled with limited training and resources. Most providers felt unprepared, lacked guidance and felt unsupported and unprotected by managers and their health system. While in Brazil most providers felt they should respond to DV cases, many in Sri Lanka preferred not to. Such organizational and service delivery challenges, in turn, also affected how health providers responded to DV cases leaving them not confident, uncertain about their knowledge and unsure about their role. Furthermore, providers' personal beliefs and values on DV and gender norms also impacted their motivation and ability to respond, prompting some to become 'activists' while others were reluctant to intervene and prone to blame women. Our synthesis also pointed to a gap in women's use of health services for DV as they had low trust in providers. Our conceptual framework demonstrates the importance of having clear policies and highlights the need to engage leadership across every level of the system to reframe challenges and strengthen routine practices. Future research should also determine the ways in which women's understanding and needs related to DV help-seeking are addressed.

Shared Decision Making in Oncology and Its Implementation in Cervical Cancer Management in the Philippines: A Narrative Review.

Shared decision making (SDM) is an approach where clinicians and patients make decisions together using the best available evidence. Although much studied, recognized to be ethically imperative, and recommended in international health policies, it remains poorly implemented. In the Philippines, there are limited studies on patient decision making preferences and SDM. Practical guidance on the implementation of SDM or use of patient decision aids (PtDAs) is often not detailed in existing national clinical practice guidelines in oncology. We performed a systematic search of Philippine literature on SDM in oncology and an iterative review of international literature on the philosophy and methods of SDM, the utility and effectiveness of PtDAs, and the facilitators and barriers to implementation or usage. We contextualized our review to the cervical cancer management and health service delivery in the Philippines. Local literature is limited to five scientific publications and two registered studies. International literature encompasses patient decisional preferences, the role of PtDAs and the standards for their development and evaluation, their effectiveness, and barriers and facilitators to their use in cancer-related decision making. We discussed the implications on the management of cervical cancer in the Philippines, challenges in health service delivery and standards, and SDM research. Local SDM research is limited. Our preliminary experience in a multicenter clinical trial in Manila on PtDA use in the framework of SDM in cervical cancer suggest good patient and clinician acceptability. Challenges to implementation such as unfavorable financial situations, urgency of clinical decisions, low patient or caregiver educational attainment, and poor integration of multidisciplinary and SDM in organizational workflows will be important when implementing SDM in different settings.

Exploring the perceptions and experiences of community rehabilitation for Long COVID from the perspectives of Scottish general practitioners’ and people living with Long COVID: a qualitative study

ObjectivesTo explore the experience of accessing Long COVID community rehabilitation from the perspectives of people with Long COVID and general practitioners (GPs).DesignQualitative descriptive study employing one-to-one semistructured virtual interviews analysed...

Feasibility and acceptability of integrating a multicomponent breastfeeding promotion intervention into routine health services in private health facilities in Lagos State, Nigeria: A mixed methods process evaluation.

Most health care providers in Lagos State, Nigeria are private and are not required to offer breastfeeding counseling to women. From May 2019-April 2020, Alive & Thrive implemented a multicomponent breastfeeding promotion intervention in private health facilities in Lagos that included training and support to implement the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative and provide breastfeeding counseling and support to pregnant women and lactating mothers in person and on WhatsApp. We conducted a mixed methods process evaluation in 10 intervention and 10 comparison private health facilities to examine the feasibility and acceptability of integrating the intervention into routine health services. We conducted in-depth interviews with 20 health facility owners/managers and providers, 179 structured observations of health providers during service provision to pregnant and lactating women and 179 exit interviews with pregnant and lactating women. The in-depth interviews were transcribed and analyzed thematically. The structured observations and exit interviews were summarized using descriptive and inferential statistics. The in-depth interviews indicated that almost all health facility owners/managers and providers at the intervention health facilities had generally positive experiences with the intervention. However, the health providers reported implementation barriers including increased workload, use of personal time for counseling on WhatsApp, and some mothers' lack of access to WhatsApp support groups. Observations suggested that more breastfeeding counseling occurred at intervention compared with comparison health facilities. Third trimester exit interviews showed that 86% of women in the intervention health facilities were very confident they could carry out the breastfeeding advice they received, compared to 47% in the comparison health facilities. Our research suggests that provision of breastfeeding counseling and support through private health facilities is feasible and acceptable, but service delivery challenges must be considered for successful scale-up.

Examining Front-Line Administrative Services in a Selected Public Higher Education Institution

The South African government’s commitment to people-friendly public service since 1994 has influenced the quality of service provided by front-line administrative staff in public higher learning institutions. This study explores the experiences of front-line administrative staff at the Durban University of Technology (DUT), focusing on the challenges faced and their impact on teaching, learning, and overall academic activities. Against the backdrop of public higher education institutions (HEIs) in South Africa, the study addresses the persistent challenges in service delivery and the crucial role of front-line administrative staff. Employing a post-positivist paradigm, the research adopts a hybrid methodological approach, combining qualitative and quantitative methods. A survey design is utilized to gather data from first-time entry students (FTENs) enrolled in the Business and Information Management program at DUT, employing convenience sampling and a self-administered questionnaire. The study’s findings illuminate the inefficiencies in front-line administrative services, elucidating their impact on diverse stakeholders and emphasizing the pressing need for enhancement. The study found that the majority of students perceived the services positively, with only a small number expressing dissatisfaction and nearly all participants noted the institution’s adherence to the Batho Pele Principles positively, though a few had contrasting experiences. The findings further revealed areas of improvement for the service. By focusing on the experiences of FTENs, the study contributes to the broader discourse on enhancing service delivery in public higher learning institutions. Addressing these challenges is crucial for the fulfilment of the core mission of HEIs providing quality education and fostering a positive learning environment.

PREVALENCE, INCIDENCES AND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES OF OPHTHALMIC EMERGENCIES; A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY IN JINJA REGIONAL REFERRAL HOSPITAL.

Introduction This study was aimed at establishing the prevalence of ophthalmic emergencies, determining the common incidences of ophthalmic emergencies, and establishing the common management practices of ophthalmic emergencies at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital. This study was carried out at the eye department of Jinja Regional Referral Hospital, Jinja City Busoga region Methodology It employed a descriptive cross-sectional study design that employed both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection from a sample size of 100 using a self-administered questionnaire. Data was analyzed manually and presented in tables and figures. Results The study showed that 43(43%) of the respondents were 10-20 years old and 60(60%) of them were males. Most of the respondents affected 42(42%) were those who were working in industries, factories, and welding. The most common ophthalmic emergency incidences were open globe injuries 72(72%) and mostly corneal foreign bodies 42(42%). The common management options for ophthalmic emergencies present at JRRH were both topical and systemic antibiotics, anti-fungal anti-viral drugs depending on the cause of the illness; surgery; topical or systemic steroids to reduce inflammation in the eye; anti-glaucoma drugs to reduce IOPs and referral Conclusion The study concluded that the common age group affected by ophthalmic emergencies is 10-20 years and mostly males are affected and with those working, it was mostly welders, those working in industries, factories, and peasants. Recommendations The government, Ophthalmologists, ophthalmic clinical officers, and ophthalmic nurses should play their roles to address the challenges in service delivery to reduce ophthalmic emergencies or even avoid complications of ophthalmic emergencies

Water Service Delivery Issues and Challenges for the Urban Poor Zones in South Western Uganda

The article aims to examine the issues and challenges associated with providing water services to urban impoverished areas in South Western Uganda. The research methodology employed in this study involved conducting a comprehensive desktop study and literature review, systematically searching, and selecting peer-reviewed journal articles, books, and conference proceedings within a specified scope, using carefully chosen keywords and search criteria. After collating and evaluating the selected literature, a thorough synthesis was done to identify existing knowledge gaps and provide insights into the research questions under investigation. The main findings of the results highlight the need for integrated service models to expand water service delivery for the urban poor zones in southwestern Uganda. The study concludes that the problems addressed in this research and the suggestions presented provide the basis for improving water services to urban impoverished areas in South Western Uganda. This research will broaden service models for urban areas while also creating service models for locations with features of impoverished conditions. It is crucial to remember that households in urban cells were more likely to use improved water sources (including piped water on-premises), make regular payments for water, rely on shared sanitation facilities, and use manual sludge emptying services