Understanding the organization and delivery of health services following the repatriation of South Sudanese refugees from the West Nile districts in Uganda
Abstract Background Low- and middle-income countries face several challenges in providing health services, particularly to displaced populations, during all phases of emergencies. However, little is known about how health services are organized to displaced populations following repatriation. This s...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2025-06-01
|
| Series: | Conflict and Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13031-025-00672-2 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849434243731554304 |
|---|---|
| author | Henry Komakech Lynn Atuyambe Fadi El-Jardali Christopher Garimoi Orach |
| author_facet | Henry Komakech Lynn Atuyambe Fadi El-Jardali Christopher Garimoi Orach |
| author_sort | Henry Komakech |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Low- and middle-income countries face several challenges in providing health services, particularly to displaced populations, during all phases of emergencies. However, little is known about how health services are organized to displaced populations following repatriation. This study examined the organization of health services following the repatriation of South Sudanese refugees from the three West Nile districts of Arua, Adjumani, and Moyo in Uganda. Methods We conducted a qualitative case study in three West Nile refugee hosting districts, Arua, Moyo, and Adjumani. We used the World Health Organization Health System Framework, focusing on four blocks: health services, financing, medicines and supplies, and human resources. We conducted in-depth interviews with 32 purposefully selected respondents, including health service providers, district civil leaders, local government staff, and non-government organization staff. The data were analyzed using content analysis. Results Following repatriation, the district health teams in the three districts assumed overall responsibility for planning, managing, and providing health services. Health services followed an integrated model within a decentralized framework in all three districts. Health services were available in most areas except for former refugee settlements where facilities were either closed or relocated. After repatriation, funding for health services was provided through the government’s primary health care grant with minimal support from aid agencies. Districts, however, face several challenges, including shortages of medicines and essential supplies, inadequate health workers, and poor infrastructure. Conclusion Refugee repatriation disrupted health service delivery in the refugee hosting districts, leading to a reduction in funding; inadequate skilled health workers and equipment; and the closure of some facilities. To ensure the continuity of health services, government and aid agencies should plan for repatriation and establish strategies to sustain health services in refugee-hosting areas. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-fb33916a086c41d38ceb7b05e8ea6593 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1752-1505 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Conflict and Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-fb33916a086c41d38ceb7b05e8ea65932025-08-20T03:26:43ZengBMCConflict and Health1752-15052025-06-0119111110.1186/s13031-025-00672-2Understanding the organization and delivery of health services following the repatriation of South Sudanese refugees from the West Nile districts in UgandaHenry Komakech0Lynn Atuyambe1Fadi El-Jardali2Christopher Garimoi Orach3Department of Community Health and Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health, Makerere UniversityDepartment of Community Health and Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health, Makerere UniversityAmerican University BeirutDepartment of Community Health and Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health, Makerere UniversityAbstract Background Low- and middle-income countries face several challenges in providing health services, particularly to displaced populations, during all phases of emergencies. However, little is known about how health services are organized to displaced populations following repatriation. This study examined the organization of health services following the repatriation of South Sudanese refugees from the three West Nile districts of Arua, Adjumani, and Moyo in Uganda. Methods We conducted a qualitative case study in three West Nile refugee hosting districts, Arua, Moyo, and Adjumani. We used the World Health Organization Health System Framework, focusing on four blocks: health services, financing, medicines and supplies, and human resources. We conducted in-depth interviews with 32 purposefully selected respondents, including health service providers, district civil leaders, local government staff, and non-government organization staff. The data were analyzed using content analysis. Results Following repatriation, the district health teams in the three districts assumed overall responsibility for planning, managing, and providing health services. Health services followed an integrated model within a decentralized framework in all three districts. Health services were available in most areas except for former refugee settlements where facilities were either closed or relocated. After repatriation, funding for health services was provided through the government’s primary health care grant with minimal support from aid agencies. Districts, however, face several challenges, including shortages of medicines and essential supplies, inadequate health workers, and poor infrastructure. Conclusion Refugee repatriation disrupted health service delivery in the refugee hosting districts, leading to a reduction in funding; inadequate skilled health workers and equipment; and the closure of some facilities. To ensure the continuity of health services, government and aid agencies should plan for repatriation and establish strategies to sustain health services in refugee-hosting areas.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13031-025-00672-2Health servicesService deliveryOrganizationRepatriationRefugee repatriation |
| spellingShingle | Henry Komakech Lynn Atuyambe Fadi El-Jardali Christopher Garimoi Orach Understanding the organization and delivery of health services following the repatriation of South Sudanese refugees from the West Nile districts in Uganda Conflict and Health Health services Service delivery Organization Repatriation Refugee repatriation |
| title | Understanding the organization and delivery of health services following the repatriation of South Sudanese refugees from the West Nile districts in Uganda |
| title_full | Understanding the organization and delivery of health services following the repatriation of South Sudanese refugees from the West Nile districts in Uganda |
| title_fullStr | Understanding the organization and delivery of health services following the repatriation of South Sudanese refugees from the West Nile districts in Uganda |
| title_full_unstemmed | Understanding the organization and delivery of health services following the repatriation of South Sudanese refugees from the West Nile districts in Uganda |
| title_short | Understanding the organization and delivery of health services following the repatriation of South Sudanese refugees from the West Nile districts in Uganda |
| title_sort | understanding the organization and delivery of health services following the repatriation of south sudanese refugees from the west nile districts in uganda |
| topic | Health services Service delivery Organization Repatriation Refugee repatriation |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13031-025-00672-2 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT henrykomakech understandingtheorganizationanddeliveryofhealthservicesfollowingtherepatriationofsouthsudaneserefugeesfromthewestniledistrictsinuganda AT lynnatuyambe understandingtheorganizationanddeliveryofhealthservicesfollowingtherepatriationofsouthsudaneserefugeesfromthewestniledistrictsinuganda AT fadieljardali understandingtheorganizationanddeliveryofhealthservicesfollowingtherepatriationofsouthsudaneserefugeesfromthewestniledistrictsinuganda AT christophergarimoiorach understandingtheorganizationanddeliveryofhealthservicesfollowingtherepatriationofsouthsudaneserefugeesfromthewestniledistrictsinuganda |