The “One Chicken per Household” Innovation
Introduction
Peter Olet is an alumnus of the Master of Public Health Leadership (MPHL) programme at Uganda Christian University under Save the Mothers East Africa. With a background in education, Peter transitioned into health leadership as a facility administrator at Timagi Community Medical Care (TCMC) in Acaba Sub-county, Oyam District, Northern Uganda.
His journey into public health leadership was shaped by personal reflection and professional experience:
“I thought of how I could make myself better. I landed on the information for the MPHL training provided in Uganda Christian University and I enrolled on the program. Through the MPHL program I actually discovered I could champion change and change the lives of other people.”
Through MPHL training, Peter gained new skills in leadership, systems thinking, and community engagement that transformed how he approaches maternal and newborn health challenges.
We believe that lasting improvements in maternal and newborn health require collaboration across sectors and disciplines.
Together, these approaches create stronger systems, healthier communities, and better outcomes for mothers and newborns.
From Experience to Action
At TCMC, Peter witnessed repeated maternal and newborn complications, including preventable deaths linked to delayed referrals, limited infrastructure, and resource constraints.
These experiences, combined with insights from his MPHL research on adolescent pregnancy in Acaba Sub-county, motivated him to think differently about health system strengthening at community level.
Rather than relying solely on external funding, Peter began exploring how communities themselves could contribute to improving their health facility.
The “One Chicken per Household” Innovation
One of Peter’s most impactful innovations is the “One Chicken per Household” campaign a community-driven health financing model designed to support the construction and development of Timagi Community Medical Care (TCMC).
The idea emerged from a simple observation: while many households had limited cash income, most owned at least one chicken. Peter and his team proposed that each household contribute one chicken or its equivalent value toward the development of the health facility.
With approximately 8,500 households in Acaba Sub-county, the model demonstrated significant potential for local resource mobilization while strengthening community ownership of health services.
At an estimated value of UGX 10,000 per chicken, the initiative represents a potential UGX 85 million community contribution toward improving maternal and general health services.
The campaign has since evolved into a structured community fundraising effort supported by local leaders, Village Health Teams, and a dedicated building committee.
Building a Health Facility Through Community Power
Using locally mobilized resources, construction of a new hospital block at TCMC began in 2022. The community contributed bricks, sand, labour, and chickens, while the facility leadership coordinated planning and implementation.
This model has strengthened:
- Community ownership of health infrastructure
- Local participation in maternal health improvement
- Trust between health workers and communities
Peter describes the initiative as a shift from dependency to shared responsibility in health system development.
Improving Maternal and Newborn Health Services
Through combined efforts and partnerships, TCMC has recorded significant improvements:
- Antenatal care attendance increased from 100 to 250 women per month
- Deliveries increased from 25 to 58 per month under supported services
- Introduction of ultrasound services to improve maternal monitoring
- Strengthened referral support through voucher-linked services
These improvements have enhanced access to safer maternal and newborn care in the community.
A Story of Community Resilience
Beyond infrastructure, the initiative has deeply influenced community participation in health care.
Households contribute not only chickens but also maize, beans, and labour toward facility development. Community members actively participate in mobilization meetings and health discussions, reinforcing collective responsibility for safe motherhood.
Even households that have not yet contributed express willingness to participate when able, reflecting growing ownership of the initiative.
Challenges and the Road Ahead
Despite progress, significant needs remain at TCMC, including:
- Reliable power and water supply
- Adequate delivery and emergency equipment
- Completion of the new hospital block
Peter continues to mobilize partners, development actors, and well-wishers to support the next phase of development.
MPHL Program Impact
Peter attributes much of his leadership transformation to the MPHL programme, which equipped him with:
- Reliable power and water supply
- Adequate delivery and emergency equipment
- Completion of the new hospital block
Conclusion
Peter Olet’s “One Chicken per Household” initiative is a powerful example of how local innovation, leadership, and community ownership can transform maternal and newborn health services.Through MPHL training, Peter has become a catalyst for change; mobilizing communities, strengthening health systems, and demonstrating that even simple ideas can save lives when driven by vision and leadership.
By Teopista Agutu – Save the Mothers East Africa Communications and Networking Director
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Save the Mothers promotes maternal health in the developing world through education, public awareness and advocacy. Based in Uganda and North America, Save The Mothers is part of a global movement to improve the health of mothers and babies