East African youth attend health conference in Kigali

 

 

The conference that took place from March 3 to 4 at Kigali Convention Center in Rwanda under the theme: Nothing about us; without us"  attracted over 1,000 youth from several African countries including Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Ethiop, a and Zambia. 

 

Lilian Kamanzi Mugisha, who is the Fundraising and communications officer at Amref Health Africa- Uganda said the caravan started from Nairobi University to Kisumu University and then through Uganda Busia border to Kabale University to collect information on the issues affecting the health of young people. 

 

Kamanzi said the ideas discussed will be presented at the UN global conference where the youth voice from Africa will be made in September.

 

She said Kabale University was chosen because it hosts many young people who are enlightened and are going to take Uganda forward.

 Some of the youth matching through Kabale streets

Explaining the need for the youth fire activation for UHC, Kamanzi said the youth in Uganda have no clue on what UHC is about and what is in for them. The campaign will sensitise the youth on what is required for UHC nationally.

 

Mugisha urged the leaders to involve youth in discussing health issues that affect them, give them the funding and mentorship so that they can join the Universal Health Coverage Pan-African Movement.

 

Dr. Patrick Kagurusi, the head of programmes at AMREF Health Africa in Uganda said the country is committed to achieving Universal Health Coverage by 2030. This means everyone should access services and a health worker in any health facilities without getting financially ruined.