The UK-Africa Health Summit has kicked off, bringing together leading thinkers, experts, medical practitioners, and innovators from around the world to promote partnerships and collaboration for better health outcomes.
Uganda’s delegation, comprising Hon. Kintu Alex Brandon, Hon. Dr. Charles Ayume, Daniel Kyabayinze, and Mariam Seguya, was warmly welcomed by High Commissioner of Uganda to the UK, H.E. Ambassador Nimisha Madhvani, who highlighted the significant strides made under Uganda-UK health partnerships ¹.
This summit aims to foster innovation, collaboration, and sharing of solutions for better health for all, with key highlights including encouraging NHS engagement in global health, leveraging the power of the diaspora health workforce, and reducing global health inequalities.
Global Health Partnerships CEO, Ben Simms, emphasized the importance of this summit, stating:
“I am so excited to be here at the UK Africa Summit after months of preparation. Here we are and it’s now happening. Um we’re surrounded by brilliant individuals, some of them are ministers of state for health, some of them are senior leaders in ministries of health.”
Simms highlighted the value of global collaboration, saying:
“All of them know that if we learn globally, we improve the prospects of patient care locally. That’s what this conference is about.”
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of WHO, echoed this sentiment, stating:
“No country can tackle health challenges alone.”
Hon. Khumbize Kandodo-Chiponda, Minister of Health (Malawi), emphasized the importance of shared solutions and collaborative approaches in tackling shared health challenges.
The role of the diaspora in building sustainable health systems globally was also recognized, with Dorcas Gwata, Global Health Partnerships Advisor, rallying the diaspora to strengthen partnerships.
Dr Nwaekaego Chukwukaodinaka, Director of Diaspora at the Federal Ministry of Health (Nigeria), highlighted the impact of diaspora groups in strengthening health systems in both their host countries and countries of heritage.
The summit will continue to explore pressing topics, including investment for health and well-being, resilience, and equity of health systems across the globe.
