London, UK | THE BLACK EXAMINER | The launch event held at the Uganda High Commission in London was a top-notch gathering, characterized by networking, the presentation of past, present, and prospective projects and opportunities, and the formulation of strategies to enhance healthcare.
To kick things off, the Uganda Diaspora Allied Health Professionals (UK) emerged as a prominent and growing association with a dedicated mission to foster connections, promote collaborative partnerships, facilitate training, and champion excellence among Ugandan diaspora professionals working in the allied health sector.
David Marsden, the National AHP International Recruitment Lead at NHS England, extended his congratulations to the members and commended their valuable contributions across various aspects of Uganda’s healthcare sector. He stressed the significance of diaspora health groups in supporting healthcare systems and expressed a commitment to further collaboration and partnership between NHS England and the Health Ministry of Uganda to advance the global health agenda.
Dr. Solomon Kamurari, Head of Programs at the Uganda UK Health Alliance, offered a crucial perspective on how the expanded roles of diaspora allied health professionals in the UK could contribute to strengthening the healthcare systems of Uganda. He underscored the essential role played by allied health professionals in delivering healthcare services in Uganda and urged the diaspora to actively support the government’s efforts in enhancing the health sector.
Moses Mulimira, the Diaspora Lead for the Uganda UK Health Alliance, emphasized the potential of harnessing the skills and expertise of the medical diaspora as a means to build resilient healthcare systems. He highlighted the growing recognition among policymakers that the health diaspora can significantly contribute to bolstering their home countries’ healthcare workforce capacity. Moses also mentioned that the UK National Health Service has initiated a specific Health Diaspora Fellowship program, currently being piloted in Uganda in collaboration with the Ministry of Health. Additionally, he called for unity and patriotism within the Ugandan diaspora community, urging members to refrain from divisive behavior.
The event was graced by the presence of representatives from various diaspora healthcare associations, including Herbert Mwebe from the Uganda Diaspora Nurses & Midwives Association UK and Dr. Kamatamu Amanda Mbonye, who represented the British Ugandan Doctors Association, among others.
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