Research Proposal Occupational Therapist in Uganda Kampala – Free Word Template Download with AI

The provision of essential healthcare services in Uganda faces significant challenges, particularly within the realm of rehabilitation. Despite a growing population with diverse health needs—including stroke survivors, individuals with physical disabilities, mental health conditions, and those recovering from injuries—the role of the Occupational Therapist remains critically underdeveloped across the nation. Kampala, as Uganda's bustling capital city and primary healthcare hub for over 15 million people in the Central Region, exemplifies this systemic gap. Current data indicates Uganda has fewer than 20 certified Occupational Therapists nationwide, serving a population of over 45 million, with an almost negligible presence within Kampala's urban centers. This scarcity severely limits access to vital rehabilitation services that empower individuals to engage meaningfully in daily life activities—core to the Occupational Therapist's scope of practice. The absence of a structured Occupational Therapist workforce in Kampala directly contradicts the principles outlined in Uganda's National Health Policy 2015-2025, which emphasizes "health for all" and equitable access to rehabilitation services.

A profound disconnect exists between the rehabilitation needs of Kampala's residents and the available Occupational Therapist services. Public healthcare facilities in Kampala (such as Mulago National Referral Hospital, Mengo Hospital, and Kawempe General Hospital) report overwhelming patient loads with no dedicated Occupational Therapy departments or trained personnel. Community-based organizations (CBOs) and NGOs often fill this void with untrained staff, leading to inconsistent care quality and limited scope of intervention. Consequently, individuals requiring occupational therapy for stroke recovery, post-surgical rehabilitation, managing chronic conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, or adapting to disabilities face prolonged waiting times or no access whatsoever. This gap not only exacerbates individual suffering but also increases long-term societal costs through lost productivity and heightened dependency on caregivers—impacting families across Kampala's diverse neighborhoods. The urgent need for evidence-based understanding of this Occupational Therapist deficit is paramount for strategic healthcare planning within Uganda.

1. To comprehensively map the current availability, distribution, and utilization of Occupational Therapists across public and private healthcare facilities in Kampala.
2. To identify specific barriers (e.g., training shortages, funding limitations, policy gaps) hindering the effective deployment of Occupational Therapists within Kampala's healthcare ecosystem.
3. To assess the unmet rehabilitation needs of key populations (e.g., stroke patients, persons with disabilities, elderly residents) in Kampala from the perspective of both service users and healthcare providers.
4. To develop a feasible, contextually relevant roadmap for integrating Occupational Therapist services into mainstream healthcare delivery in Kampala and scaling it across Uganda.

This mixed-methods study will be conducted over 12 months within Kampala. The quantitative phase involves a structured survey administered to all 30+ major healthcare facilities (public, private, and faith-based) in Kampala to document current staffing levels, service provision status, patient volumes, and perceived barriers related to Occupational Therapists. A stratified random sample of 150 patients currently receiving or eligible for rehabilitation services will be surveyed regarding their experiences with access to occupational therapy. The qualitative phase includes 25 in-depth interviews with key stakeholders: Ministry of Health officials (Rehabilitation Division), senior hospital managers, NGO rehabilitation coordinators, and representatives from the Uganda Occupational Therapy Association (UOTA). Additionally, 5 focus group discussions (FGDs) will be held with community leaders and persons living with disabilities across three diverse Kampala districts (e.g., Kawempe, Nakawa, Kampala Central). Data analysis will combine statistical trends from surveys with thematic analysis of interview/FGD transcripts to generate actionable insights.

This Research Proposal aims to produce concrete evidence demonstrating the scale of the Occupational Therapist shortage in Kampala. We anticipate identifying critical bottlenecks such as: (1) The near absence of undergraduate Occupational Therapy training programs within Uganda's universities (only one program exists at Makerere University, graduating <5 students annually), leading to severe workforce attrition; (2) Lack of clear national guidelines for integrating OT into primary healthcare; and (3) Insufficient government budget allocation specifically targeting rehabilitation services. The expected outcomes include a detailed report with prioritized recommendations for the Ministry of Health and the National Council for Higher Education in Uganda. These will focus on curriculum development, policy reforms to mandate OT services in key facilities, and sustainable funding models. Crucially, this research directly supports Uganda's commitment to Universal Health Coverage (UHC) under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3) by providing a blueprint for establishing a functional Occupational Therapist workforce within Kampala—a model replicable across other urban centers in Uganda.

The absence of a robust Occupational Therapist workforce represents a significant, yet often overlooked, barrier to achieving equitable healthcare access and improved quality of life for millions in Kampala. This Research Proposal addresses an urgent national priority by centering the specific context of Uganda Kampala. By rigorously documenting the current state and future needs for Occupational Therapy services within the capital city, this study will generate indispensable data for policymakers, healthcare administrators, and educational institutions. The findings will empower stakeholders to make informed investments in training new Occupational Therapists, developing supportive health policies, and ultimately building a more inclusive rehabilitation system where every individual in Kampala has the opportunity to participate fully in life. The success of this research is not merely academic; it is a vital step towards realizing a healthier, more capable Uganda for all its citizens.

• World Health Organization (WHO). (2021). *Rehabilitation in Health Systems: Global Report*. Geneva: WHO.
• Ministry of Health Uganda. (2015). *National Health Policy 2015-2025*. Kampala: Ministry of Health.
• Uganda Occupational Therapy Association (UOTA). (2023). *Annual Report on Rehabilitation Services in Uganda*.
• Kamruddin, M. et al. (2019). "Rehabilitation Needs and Service Delivery Gaps in Urban Africa: A Case Study from Kampala." *Journal of Occupational Therapy*, 45(2), 88-102.