To begin with, the UK 🇬🇧 Trade Envoy to Uganda 🇺🇬 Rwanda 🇷🇼 and DRC, Lord Popat, delivered a keynote address on investment in healthcare infrastructure.
The Envoy noted that healthcare infrastructure must integrate the hospital, as the centre for acute and inpatient care, into the broader healthcare system, and should facilitate the seven domains of quality, including patient experience, effectiveness, efficiency, timeliness, safety, equity and sustainability.
He reckoned that infrastructure is the key to healthcare improvement. Popat stated that a strong public health infrastructure, includes a capable and qualified workforce, up-to-date data and information systems, and agencies that can assess and respond to public health needs.
Importantly, he called upon governments to invest in healthcare, regardless of it being costly and capital-intensive, adding that it’s vital to a region’s economic development and prosperity.
He also elaborated on the bilateral trade relations between UK 🇬🇧 and Africa, twined with opportunities in the healthcare sector.
On her part, the Permanent Secretary of Health Ministry – Uganda, Dr. Atwine Diana, commended the UK partners for standing with Africa in the pandemic fight against COVID-19, Ebola, etc.
The PS also thanked President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for his visionary leadership, and championing the successful battles against pandemics.
Pitching to health partners, Dr. Diana urged them to invest and take advantage of existing opportunities in Uganda’s health sector. In the affirmative, partners pledged to continue rendering support to health systems in East Africa.
On the sidelines, CEO of the links, Ben Simms, while chairing a session focused on #AMR, said health is global. This he demonstrated with reference to the excellent #SilentPandemic film.
In sum, the Summit’s discussions centred on climate-related health emergencies, health capacity building, epidemics and climate change, old current and new pandemics, health workforce and the role of Diaspora, mitigating health risks, research and development, among others.
The Summit hosted at Royal College of General Practitioners in London, UK, from April 24-25, 2023, was attended by dignitaries from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, DRC, Zambia, Malawi, Gambia, and Malaysia, alongside representatives from British Medical Journal, Health Education England, the British Government, & Ugandan diasporas.
Massive appreciation to the UK 🇬🇧 Department of International Trade for the support toward the event.
Special thanks to the sponsors and Organising team, led by, Co-founder of Uganda Diaspora Health Foundation, Moses Mulimira.
7THUKEAHEALTHSUMMIT
