Uganda to host international symposium on universal health coverage


By Umar Weswala – Kampala:
(L-R) Dr. A. Ssenyonjo, Prof. F. Ssengooba and Ms. R. Kaitiritimba
Over 250 delegates from different countries will converge in Kampala from August 27th to 29th for an international symposium on Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
This was revealed today by Prof. Freddie Ssengooba during a Press Conference organised by SupportingPolicy Engagements for Evidence-based Decisions (SPEED) at Gold Course Hotel in Kampala.
Professor Ssengooba, the SPEED Project Director, told journalists that the symposium organised under the theme; ‘Partnerships for Health Improvements across governments and societies and local, national and global levels’ will examine partnerships, policy and systems developments for UHC.
With this symposium, which is the third that SPEED is convening since 2015, we are creating space for all stakeholders in this work to come together and reflect on what has been going on in partnership creation, policy formulation as well as developing systems for advancement of UHC” Prof. Ssengooba said.
He said the symposium will look beyond the health sector given the many determinants of health.
“That is why we have delegates coming from all sectors that determine the well-being and contribute to improved health outcomes” said Prof. Ssengooba.
According to a Press Release issued by SPEED, the symposium delegates will include researchers, policy makers and implementers, practitioners, activists, funders and bilateral agency representatives.
The three day event comes at a time when governments and partners especially in low and middle income countries are engaged in designing programs and systems aimed at supporting the advancement of UHC.
Dr. Aloysius Ssenyonjo, the SPEED Project Manager and Ms. Robinah Kaitiritimba, the Uganda National Health Consumers organisation (UNHCO) Executive Director also addressed journalists during the press conference.
Dr. Ssenyonjo said the symposium will bring to the attention of policy makers and other participants, the key issue of leveraging on resources of other sectors, institutions and agencies to improving people’s health outcome.
The UNHCO Executive Director Ms. Kaitiritimba gave thumbs up to the media saying that it is a critical partner in highlighting UHC as an important strategic development goal.

According to the WorldHealth Organisation (WHO), Universal Health Coverage (UHC) means that all people and communities can use the promotive, preventive, curative, rehabilitative and palliative health services they need, of sufficient quality to be effective, while also ensuring that the use of these services does not expose the user to financial hardship.
UHC cuts across all of the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and brings hope of better health and protection for the world’s poorest.

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