Tayebwa pledges Parliament's support to Mildmay Health Sciences Institute
Tayebwa said he was impressed by the institute's infrastructure and facilities, noting that they were far more extensive than he had imagined from seeing the institution while driving past it.
The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa. (File/Parliament)
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The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, has pledged Parliament's support to Mildmay Institute of Health Sciences (MIHS) as the institution prepares to transition into a university.
Tayebwa made the commitment on November 12 during the institute's ninth graduation ceremony, where 496 students received certificates and diplomas in various health-related disciplines.
Tayebwa's message was delivered by the chairperson of Parliament's Committee on Education and Sports, Cuthbert Abigaba, who represented him at the function held at Mildmay along Entebbe Road in Wakiso District.
Tayebwa said he was impressed by the institute's infrastructure and facilities, noting that they were far more extensive than he had imagined from seeing the institution while driving past it.
Abigaba, who is also the Member of Parliament for Kibale County in Kamwenge District, said his committee would organise a comprehensive visit to the institute alongside other committee members, particularly as it prepares for university status.
The graduation ceremony also brought into focus the challenges graduates with disabilities face in securing employment, despite attaining professional qualifications.
One of the graduates, Daniel Lazaro Opio, who completed a Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology, raised concerns about the difficulties persons with disabilities like him encounter when seeking employment.
"Although we acquire the necessary academic qualifications, finding employers willing to give us opportunities remains a challenge," noted Opio.
The concern was acknowledged by the institute's principal, Dr Edith Akankwatsa, who affirmed the need to address barriers that prevent graduates with disabilities from accessing employment opportunities.
Abigaba also acknowledged the need for appropriate legislation and stronger measures to promote employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. He pledged to raise Opio's concerns for consideration by Parliament.
"The knowledge and conduct of graduates should reflect positively on themselves and the institution because public confidence in health workers must be protected through ethical practices and accountability," said Luboga.
Speaking under the graduation theme, Innovating for Quality and Trusted Health Care, Luboga urged graduates to embrace innovation as an essential part of improving healthcare delivery.
He noted that innovation did not necessarily require expensive equipment or entirely new inventions, but could also involve practical improvements in the delivery and management of health services.
Reducing patient waiting times, improving medicine stock management, strengthening patient follow-up systems and addressing human resource challenges were among the practical interventions he identified as capable of transforming healthcare.
Of the 496 graduates, 199 completed programmes in clinical medicine and community health, medical laboratory and environmental health at certificate and diploma levels.
The School of Nursing and Midwifery presented 174 graduates, while 123 graduated in Human Nutrition and Clinical Dietetics.