UK, Uganda governments enter health alliance

By Joel Ogwang                                                            
 
The United Kingdom (UK) and the Ugandan governments have signed a memorandum of understanding establishing an alliance geared at promoting co-operation and interaction in healthcare provision between our two countries.
 
The Uganda UK Health Alliance (UUHA) is an informal group of health-orientated organisations registered in Uganda and UK working together to support the Ugandan government in the implementation of its plans.
 
The alliance will also increase and develop Uganda’s health objectives and systems and to contribute towards achieving the health-related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
 
In Uganda, UUHA enlisted 24 organisations including universities and health institutions as well as 42 UK institutions.
 
A memorandum of understanding establishing UUHA was recently signed between health ministry permanent secretary, Dr. Asuman Lukwago representing the Government of Uganda and Nigel Crisp, independent crossbench member of the UK’s House of Lords, representing his government in Kampala.
 
Speaking after signing the memorandum, Lukwago noted that there exist significant disparities in the distribution of health services in some regions of Uganda.
 
“A comprehensive approach to addressing health service gaps to improve management skills is needed,” he said. “We also need to develop a financing strategy such as health insurance and the creation of UUHA will enable us do this,” he added.
 
Lukwago said the alliance would foster the development of an independent and mobile ambulance system in Uganda, as it is in the UK.
 
UUHA will also provide opportunities for learning and development exchange programs for health workers and institutions in both Uganda and the UK.
 
Enid Mwebaza, the commissioner of health in-charge of nursing said it will also provide a means of better coordinating UK organisations’ contribution to joint working in health, within internationally recognised standards of good practice.

In the alliance, members agreed to share information and expertise with other members, associates, and others working or wanting to work in Global Health in Uganda, through a publicly accessible website, attendance at events whenever possible, and other contacts.