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RUKUNGIRI: President Yoweri has today cautioned medical practitioners against selfish political elements who cannot develop and transform this country.
“I call upon the entire medical fraternity to resist ideological disorientation from selfish political elements that cannot benefit the development and transformation of our nation,” he said.
The president made the call in a speech read for him by the Vice President Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo during celebrations to mark the International Nurses’ and Midwives Day in Rukungiri district today.
It was organized under the theme, ‘Nurses, a critical force in health care delivery.
The President said the contribution of Nurses and Midwives in the whole world cannot be over emphasized and are indeed a critical force in health care delivery as the day’s theme suggests.
“Every day, nurses and midwives are on the frontlines of administering and evaluating patient treatment, advocating for better facilities and comprehensively moderating progress. Their life is at risk at the stations of duty yet they endeavor to alleviate suffering and save lives; staying in constant communication with doctors and keeping this open dialogue to ensure the quality of care,” he said.
He assured the nurses and midwives that as they celebrate this day, we hail them for being a formidable force in ensuring that the sick are cared for until their health is restored to normalcy.
“You are change makers and worth recognizing not just in a single day like this one but you deserve countless recognitions on a daily basis,” president Museveni said.
He emphasized that as long as the world still exists babies will continue to be born and midwives will continue playing a vital role in providing care to pregnant mothers before, during and after delivery.
He commended them for their role and contribution to the multiplication and existence of human beings.
The president explained that here in Uganda, the above contribution is witnessed by the overall health status of the population that has been steadily improving.
There is significant decline in mortality rates according to the 2022 Uganda Demographic Health Survey (UDHS).
There has been a reduction in neonatal mortality rate from 27 / 1,000 live births to 22 / 1,000; infant mortality rate from 43 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2016 to 36 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2022; Under Five Mortality Rate reduced from 64 per 1,000 live births in 2016 to 52 per 1,000; and Maternal Mortality Ratio reduced remarkably from 336 per 100,000 live births in 2016 to 189/ 100,000 in 2022.
The proportion of births attended by skilled health personnel has also increased remarkably from 74°/o in 2016 to 88% in 2022 the president said.
He thanked the Ministry of Health for its role of providing oversight and direction to the medical fraternity that includes nurses and midwives.
“This day is a highlight of the dedicated service that the entire medical fraternity has been offering in the country. It is a great contribution to the growth of our nation because we need to be in good health, if we are to gainfully contribute to the economic growth of our nation,” the president said.
He said the country has been facing challenges including; insecurity in some parts of the country impeding smooth health service delivery, limited resources especially in hard-to-reach areas, disease outbreaks and pandemics but Nurses have been displaying dedication and the will to save life.
“We saw you working tooth and nail, risking your lives to redeem the lives of your brothers and sisters during the tough period of the Covid-19 wave and you are doing so again now with the recent Red Eyes outbreak. You are commended for working to the expectations of your profession,” he said.
He pledged that the government shall continue to take deliberate steps to ensure that the health sector of Uganda makes bold leaps ahead of other regional systems in provision of good health service, provision of alternative medications and specialized treatments.
Regarding personal growth, president Museveni said Uganda has got many avenues for self-employment across several sectors that we have handled under the “Operation Wealth Creation and Parish Development Model programs.
He called upon medics to all participate and be productive to ensure that they uplift the economic status of their families.
Vice president Alupo congratulated the Nurses and Midwives allover the world saying this day is important because it highlights importance of their service to humanity.
She used the occasion to hand over certificates to nurses and midwvies who have exhibited exemplary service during their career progression. She also thanked the nurses and midwife body for recognizing her mother Akol Bernadette during last year’s commemorations in Soroti district…END