KAMPALA- President Yoweri Museveni has commended medical doctors for their commitment to work and resolution to prevent diseases.
“I am happy to be in the midst of former ‘disease promoters’ who have pledged to become disease preventers.
“Most of the diseases can be prevented. I wonder why it has taken this long for the preventive stand to be implemented. I am happy to note that you are officially converted,” he said; adding that if the preventive measures are taken, Uganda would save about Shs.2 trillion per annum in the cost of medical drugs.
Addressing the third Grande Medical Doctors’ Dinner, a conference that attracted delegations from Kenya, Somalia, and Zambia which also marked the conclusion of their 2-day Conference at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala, Museveni wondered why it has so long for the preventive stand against dangerous diseases to be implemented.
During the occasion, the Minister of Health, Dr. Aceng Jane, handed over to President Museveni an international family planning award that Uganda won recently in Kigali, Rwanda.
Museveni said the NRM Government has made big strides in the health sector through immunization against 13 diseases.
He noted that hygiene and nutrition are some of the major channels for the prevention of diseases, also asking District Health Officers to spend time educating people on matters of malnutrition and stunted growth.
He also added that a lot can be achieved in the prevention of the HIV/AIDS scourge.
Museveni advised the Ministry of Health and that of Local Government to work closely in directing wananchi [ordinary people] to use the ventilation improved pit latrines that have the capacity to eliminate green flies.
He passionately appealed to the people of Uganda to appreciate the benefits of effective eradication of lifestyle diseases such as heart diseases and alcoholism.
Health Minister, Hon. Jane Ruth Aceng saluted the president for valuing the work of medical doctors in Uganda.
She disclosed that Uganda has imported Ebola vaccines, courtesy of the World Health Organization, to be soon administered on wananchi after an outbreak in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo. She urged the medical personnel and all other stakeholders to remain alert.
