President Yoweri Museveni has urged players in the health sector to intensify public campaigns on nutritious diets and the benefits of physical exercise as this will help to encounter the threat of non-communicable diseases.
Museveni said once the public is aware of the possible sources of diseases and causes, it is easy to reduce a disease burden on the healthcare systems.
The president revealed this in the speech that was read by Rt. Jessica Alupo during the 2nd edition of the Heroes in Health Awards (HIHA) dinner that was held on Friday at Speke Resort Munyonyo.
He said that his administration will continue investing in improving health infrastructures across the country so as to guarantee affordable and timely health care for all.
“It is important to note that without a healthy and educated population, you can’t have a productive and prosperous nation that’s why it is important to invest in building modern health infrastructures and training health workers,” Museveni said.
He also applauded the organizers and the different groups that received special recognition for exhibiting noble standards in the execution of their duties and also those health experts who work tirelessly to save the lives of Ugandans.
In her remarks, the Minister of Health Jane Ruth Aceng thanked the government for enhancing health workers’ salaries this financial year. She however noted that still it hasn’t yet translated into what they expect for health workers.
“The enhancement of salaries was a commitment by the president and it has been implemented. My appeal to those few who are doing their best to change statistics for the better is to be ambassadors of change for the health sector” she said.
Aceng also used this opportunity to appreciate teams currently responding to the Ebola epidemic in Mubende and Kassanda districts. she noted that these are also health heroes that the public ought to nominate.
Meanwhile, the Health Minister congratulated all those who received awards in recognition of their passion, sacrifice, and selflessness toward the country’s health sector.
The third edition of HIHA had 21 categories which included among others the Lifetime Achievement Award, Media excellence in Health, Doctor of the year, Pharmacist of the year, Award of Excellence in Palliative care, Health care Leadership Award, and the Student Innovation award.
Dr. Diana Atwiine, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health, Dr. Richard Kabanda a public health specialist, and Mr. Atek Kagirita scooped the special awards of the Heroes in Health Awards (HIHA) 2022 edition over their outstanding work in the health institution of the country.
In her part, Atwiine noted that such awards energize people to continue even when the going is tough and that they also propel them to go further in doing wonders in the health sector.
Other winners included Auma Rita who scooped the award for mental health advocate, Prof. Anne Merriman for palliative care, Shakira Namwanje for HIV/Aids leader of the year, Henry Mugenyi for Media Excellency, Jane Francis Acam for the midwife of the year, Herbert Nkonwa for Doctor of the year, Isaac Mulyoowa for the nurse of the year among others.
The heroes In Health Awards (HIHA) was an innovation started by Extraordinary media and the Ministry of Health. For the past three years, several awards have been given to recognize individuals and institutions that are making extraordinary contributions to the Health sector in Uganda.
