The Well being Growth Companions (HDP) Retreat convened on the WHO Uganda Nation Workplace right this moment, bringing collectively companions within the well being sector to debate methods for enhancing HDP strategic alignment and coordination, well being sector priorities and important gaps on financing inside the well being sector. This 12 months’s retreat additionally underscored the necessity to enhance coordination amongst well being growth companions, notably in response to ongoing well being challenges such because the Ebola virus illness outbreak.

Dr Diana Atwine, Everlasting Secretary of the Ministry of Well being, addressed the gathering, expressing appreciation for the companions’ previous and ongoing assist for Uganda’s well being sector. She additionally pressured the urgency of integration and a coordinated response to the Ebola illness virus outbreak. “The outbreak poses a big menace not solely to public well being but in addition to our collective progress,” she warned.

In her remarks, Dr Kasonde Mwinga, the World Well being Group Nation Consultant, emphasised the important function of the HDP in harmonizing efforts to assist Uganda’s public well being initiatives. “As members of this group, we bear a big accountability in supporting decision-making and implementing actions to enhance the well being and well-being of individuals residing in Uganda,” she acknowledged. Her remarks strengthened the collective dedication required to deal with urgent well being challenges.

Dr Mike Ryan, WHO’s Government Director for the Well being Emergencies Programme and Deputy Director-Basic, recommended the Ministry of Well being for its swift and efficient response efforts, notably in vaccination, laboratory screening, and airport exit screening. “In instances of disaster, coordination isn’t just helpful; it’s important,” he acknowledged. Dr Ryan reiterated that robust collaboration considerably enhances emergency response efforts and in the end saves lives.

Discussions additionally targeted on coordinating the efforts of well being growth companions to align with Uganda’s nationwide well being priorities and improve built-in service supply. 

To this finish, Dr Sarah Byakika, Commissioner, Planning, Financing and Coverage on the Ministry of Well being offered an outline on well being sector priorities inside the nationwide growth plan (NDP IV). Dr Stavia Turyahabwe, Commissioner, Communicable Ailments, spoke to the important gaps on financing inside the well being sector, together with human assets, commodities and provides, whereas highlighting the significance of integration.

UNFPA Deputy Consultant in Uganda and HDP Chair, Daniel Alemu, mirrored on the contributions of the HDP. “Whereas our progress has strengthened coordination and useful resource optimization, challenges stay in financing and integration. We should reinforce collaboration, streamline constructions, and decide to a unified plan with strong monitoring. The well being sector’s resilience will depend on collective motion. Let’s work collectively to drive effectivity, fairness, and impactful interventions.” 

Counsellor of Well being on the Embassy of Sweden and HDP Co-chair, Tomas Lundström, reiterated the significance of collaboration, whereas emphasizing the necessity for flexibility, adaptability and responsiveness. 

WHO additional known as upon well being growth companions to:

1. Improve transparency and mutual accountability: Particularly in direction of data sharing and well timed reporting of their technical and monetary help to the federal government. 

2. Advance the effectivity agenda: With shifting world well being financing, bettering effectivity has turn into more and more essential, and thus aligning interventions and eliminating redundancies to optimize assets.

3. Spend money on main well being care: Bringing providers nearer to communities by scaling up community-led initiatives and securing sustainable funding is important for long-term success.  

4. Enhance energetic engagement with different sectors: Strengthening collaboration with different sectors equivalent to schooling and social growth, whereas enhancing data sharing amongst respective growth companions teams. 

As discussions concluded, individuals expressed a robust sense of urgency to translate commitments into measurable actions. The retreat served as a platform for reflection, forging new partnerships, and reinforcing present collaborations.

Dr Mwinga reiterated WHO’s dedication to facilitating collaboration amongst companions. “To make sure lasting influence, we should transcend dialogue and actively translate our commitments into measurable actions,” she pressured. 

As Dr Ryan aptly acknowledged, “In unity lies our energy.” The retreat reaffirmed that coordinated efforts can drive substantial progress towards reaching higher well being for all Ugandans, even amid ongoing challenges such because the Ebola virus outbreak.