Biometric Tracking Of Attendance: Evidence From The Ugandan Health Sector

Health worker absenteeism poses a major challenge to Uganda’s progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals and undermines public confidence in the healthcare system, especially during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. In partnership with the Prime Minister’s Office Delivery Unit (PMDU), this pilot project tests the feasibility of using biometric fingerprint technology to monitor attendance in public health facilities. Through a randomized design, researchers will assess data quality, implementation challenges, and the short-term impact of biometric attendance tracking on reducing absenteeism over six months. Findings will inform strategies to strengthen accountability and service delivery in Uganda’s health sector.