KAMPALA– Prof. John Charles Kirya from the Allied Health Professional Council has called upon investors and other key stakeholders in the Health sector to work with government in ensuring that they extend health services to people in rural areas.
While inspecting stalls at second day of the Uganda Pharma Healthcare International Expo 2024, Kirya told participants that although Government has done its best to ensure that people in hard to reach areas receive better health facilities, there are still some challenges still affecting its successful implementation.
“There is always a cry that Government is not doing enough , but its very clear that world over the government alone can’t do enough. We as citizens, have a responsibility to get into the play and improve health care of communities.”
He added that in rural settings running Health care facilities is difficult in terms of financial gains but there as citizens, we must promote the attitude of humanity above self because it helps us support communities.
“Rural settings are difficult interms of financial gains but we must promote the attitude of humanity above self and it will enable us support the communities that are disadvantaged interms of location.”
On the Expo, Kirya was overwhelmed by the number of exhibitors from various countries which has created Uganda a chance to showcase its investment opportunities to potential investors in the health sector.
Dr. Rodney Mugalula , the President for Uganda Orthopedic society of Uganda, expressed the need to bridge the gap that exist between Doctor to Patient ratio of Uganda because its so worrying.
“Currently we may be having a population of about 50 million people in the country now and if you compare the number of practitioners is in adequate.
To increase their number is going to be a concerted effort of not only Government , private players , Non Governmental Organizations, but its going to be a concerted effort to get the necessary tools for the medical practitioners to serve the population.”
Among Ugandan based exhibitors was Joint Medical Store (JMS), the distributors and wholesalers of Healthcare products.
These at their stall had several items including those from its trading arm of Joint Health Care (JHC) which is engaged in production of cleaning materials, Immune boosters , Oxygen and Ultra Sound Gel under the Clinsafe Umbrella group.
The three day Expo held at UMA Exhibition Hall attracted dealers in Pharmaceutical supplies, medical equipment and other Health supplies from over nine countries world wide and many from Uganda.
