The newly appointed Eastern Regional Health Director, Dr Damien Punguyire, on the 26th of June 2025 embarked on a familiarization tour of the Kwaebibirem Municipal and making stops at the Kade Government Hospital, accompanied by key members of his directorate: the Deputy Director of Administration (DDA), Deputy Director of Clinical Care (DDCC), Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer (CNMO), and Deputy Director of Finance (DDF).
The visit marked a significant step in the Director’s strategic vision for healthcare in the Eastern Region, with a clear emphasis on the regional directorate’s role as a monitoring and oversight body, rather than a primary generator of raw health data.
Dr. Punguyire underscored that the core responsibility of the regional directorate is to meticulously monitor the performance and data integrity of facilities at the lower levels.
He stressed that the regional office provides the crucial supervisory framework to ensure data is captured correctly and utilized effectively for regional planning and resource allocation.
Dr. Punguyire also placed a strong emphasis on the critical importance of staff welfare, particularly the health needs of the hospital’s dedicated workforce. The Director underscored that a healthy and well-supported staff is the cornerstone of a robust and effective healthcare system.
During the tour, the delegation visited several vital departments, including the maternity ward, the dental unit, and the newly built children’s ward.
Observing the operational aspects of these wards provided the Director and his team with firsthand insights into the daily challenges and successes of healthcare delivery on the ground.
Comprehensive presentations were delivered by both the Medical Superintendent of the host hospital and the District Health Directorate. The Medical Superintendent offered a detailed profile of the hospital, outlining its services, patient demographics, and specific operational needs.
Following this, the District Health Directorate provided an overview of the broader health landscape within the district, highlighting key health indicators, challenges, and ongoing interventions.
The Regional Director’s message resonated deeply with the hospital’s leadership, who pledged to implement actionable strategies to address these vital areas, fostering an environment where staff feel valued, supported, and empowered to continue their excellent work.