Uganda to host global health meet
Feb 18, 2008
UGANDA will early next month host the global forum aimed at addressing issues affecting the efficient delivery of health services worldwide.
By Raymond Baguma
UGANDA will early next month host the global forum aimed at addressing issues affecting the efficient delivery of health services worldwide.
The meeting organised by Global Health Workforce Alliance, a Geneva-based organisation, will be held in Kampala at Speke Resort Munyonyo from March 2-7.
The alliance, administered by the World Health Organisation, is a partnership that identifies and implements solutions to the health workforce crisis.
During a press briefing last week at the Ministry of Health boardroom in Kampala, the minister, Dr. Steven Mallinga, said Uganda was one of the countries most affected by the shortage, poor distribution and immigration of health workers.
“This will be the second biggest meeting to take place in Uganda, after CHOGM. Many of our hospitals and health facilities lack adequate staff and equipment. This problem is not affecting Uganda alone.
“Many countries in Africa, Asia and the developing world are experiencing a crisis of inadequate medical workers,†he said.
Mallinga stated that the meeting would focus on the acute global shortage, retention and migration of healthcare professionals, unfavourable and challenging working conditions, inequalities in access to basic health needs, new killer diseases threatening global security and shorter life expectancies.
Also to be discussed, he added, are issues of leadership, funding and management of health services, education and training.
The forum, explained the executive director of the alliance, Prof. Francis Omaswa, would be attended by over 1,000 participants, including heads of state.
“The objectives include sharing experiences on what works and what does not work, building networks to mobilise a movement on health systems and human resources.
“Also on the card is to launch a plan as an agenda for action over the next decade,†he said.
Omaswa is a former director general of health services in Uganda.
UGANDA will early next month host the global forum aimed at addressing issues affecting the efficient delivery of health services worldwide.
The meeting organised by Global Health Workforce Alliance, a Geneva-based organisation, will be held in Kampala at Speke Resort Munyonyo from March 2-7.
The alliance, administered by the World Health Organisation, is a partnership that identifies and implements solutions to the health workforce crisis.
During a press briefing last week at the Ministry of Health boardroom in Kampala, the minister, Dr. Steven Mallinga, said Uganda was one of the countries most affected by the shortage, poor distribution and immigration of health workers.
“This will be the second biggest meeting to take place in Uganda, after CHOGM. Many of our hospitals and health facilities lack adequate staff and equipment. This problem is not affecting Uganda alone.
“Many countries in Africa, Asia and the developing world are experiencing a crisis of inadequate medical workers,†he said.
Mallinga stated that the meeting would focus on the acute global shortage, retention and migration of healthcare professionals, unfavourable and challenging working conditions, inequalities in access to basic health needs, new killer diseases threatening global security and shorter life expectancies.
Also to be discussed, he added, are issues of leadership, funding and management of health services, education and training.
The forum, explained the executive director of the alliance, Prof. Francis Omaswa, would be attended by over 1,000 participants, including heads of state.
“The objectives include sharing experiences on what works and what does not work, building networks to mobilise a movement on health systems and human resources.
“Also on the card is to launch a plan as an agenda for action over the next decade,†he said.
Omaswa is a former director general of health services in Uganda.