The Health Department within a District Local Government in Uganda is a critical pillar for ensuring the well-being and productivity of the district's population. Led by the District Health Officer (DHO), this department is responsible for the planning, management, and coordination of all health services, both public and private, within the district. Operating within the decentralized framework of Uganda's health system, the department is tasked with implementing national health policies and the Uganda National Minimum Health Care Package (UNMHCP) at the local level.

The core mandate of the Health Department is to promote, prevent, cure, rehabilitate, and palliate diseases, ultimately aiming for a healthy and productive population that contributes to socio-economic growth. It serves as the primary technical arm of the Ministry of Health at the district level, ensuring that health standards are maintained and services are accessible and equitable for all residents, including vulnerable populations.   

Key functions of the Health Department include:

• Strategic Planning and Budgeting: Developing comprehensive district health plans and annual budgets that align with national health priorities and local needs, and mobilizing resources for health service delivery and infrastructure development.
• Service Delivery Oversight: Managing and coordinating the entire network of health facilities within the district, from Health Centre IIs (parish level) up to Health Centre IVs (county level/health sub-districts) and potentially general hospitals, ensuring effective and efficient service provision. This includes outpatient care, maternal and child health services (antenatal care, deliveries, immunizations), communicable and non-communicable disease control, and basic diagnostic services.
• Disease Surveillance and Control: Implementing robust disease surveillance systems to monitor public health threats, investigate outbreaks, and initiate timely interventions for prevention and control of infectious diseases such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, TB, and other prevalent conditions.   
• Human Resources for Health: Managing the district health workforce, including recruitment, deployment, performance management, capacity building, and ensuring staff welfare for all health workers.
• Drug and Supply Chain Management: Overseeing the procurement, storage, and distribution of essential medicines, vaccines, medical equipment, and other supplies to all health units within the district, ensuring their availability and proper utilization.   
• Health Information Management System (HMIS): Collecting, compiling, analyzing, and disseminating routine health data to inform decision-making, monitor program performance, and report to higher levels of government and stakeholders.
• Community Health Promotion: Leading public health campaigns, health education initiatives, and community engagement programs to promote healthy behaviors, sanitation, and hygiene, and to encourage community participation in local health service planning and implementation (e.g., through Village Health Teams - VHTs).   
• Quality Assurance and Standards: Providing technical guidance and support supervision to health centers, enforcing professional and service codes of conduct and ethics, and ensuring adherence to national health service delivery standards.
• Coordination with Stakeholders: Liaising with the Ministry of Health, other government departments, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), faith-based organizations, and private health providers to foster partnerships and harmonize health interventions.   

The Health Department typically comprises various units or sections such as Public Health, Clinical Services, Planning and Biostatistics, Environmental Health, and Health Promotion, all working collaboratively under the guidance of the DHO to improve the overall health outcomes of the district.