Uganda Participates in Russian Healthcare Week 2024 in Moscow

Summary:

• Uganda is seeking to strengthen its healthcare system through deeper collaboration with Russia, focusing on areas like infectious disease management, emergency services, electronic health records, and specialist training.

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Uganda is exploring ways to enhance its healthcare system by deepening its collaboration with Russia, focusing on key areas such as infectious disease management, emergency medical services, electronic health records, and healthcare specialist training.

Dr. Joseph Okware, Director of Governance and Regulation at Uganda’s Ministry of Health, attended the Russian Healthcare Week 2024 in Moscow, where he represented Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng. During a high-level meeting, Dr. Okware thanked the Russian government for its continued support, notably highlighting the recent donation of a mobile laboratory truck used in disease outbreak responses.

The meeting, chaired by Russian Health Minister Prof. Mikhail Murashko, offered participating countries the opportunity to outline areas of potential collaboration. Dr. Okware reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to the areas discussed at the Africa-Russian International Scientific Conference on Combating Infectious Diseases, held in Kampala earlier this year. He emphasized the importance of learning from Russia’s advanced systems in managing emergencies, such as accidents, and the integration of electronic health records.

Uganda is in the early stages of developing its emergency medical services system, and transitioning from paper-based to electronic medical records. Dr. Okware noted that many Ugandans travel abroad for specialized medical care, which is expensive, and suggested that strengthening local expertise through cooperation with Russia could alleviate this issue.

Prof. Murashko recognized the existing collaboration, particularly in the area of epidemic disease management, such as the Ebola response, where Russia was instrumental in developing the first Ebola vaccines.

Dr. Okware was accompanied by Dr. Juliet Birungi, a consultant gynecologist-oncologist at Mulago Specialized Women and Neonatal Hospital. This facility provides highly specialized services, including cancer care for women and children—another area where Russia’s expertise could be beneficial.

The five-day Russian Healthcare Week 2024, held at the ExpoCentre in Moscow, brought together international healthcare leaders to showcase advancements and discuss future collaborations.

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