WELCOME MESSAGES

Ruhakana Rugunda
Prime Minister of Uganda

Anything that pertains to the health of individuals should be accorded the highest attention because of the intrinsic value of life. Without a healthy population, no nation can claim to be a progressive state. So, the news that the 2020 World Health Summit Regional Meeting will take place in Uganda, and on African soil for the first time, is exciting news because of the positive impact it is bound to have on the continent majorly in the field of health and the spill over into the economy and tourism industry.

As the government, we pledge total support to this important event that has since 2009 done much to ensure that the health of the global community is improved. Uganda is a multi-ethnic country that has had its fair share of trials and tribulations in the area of health; to mention two: the menace of the HIV/Aids pandemic in the 1980s and the Ebola plague in early 2000s. With the help of global partners, we stemmed the tide but, as Nelson Mandela once said, after climbing a great hill one realizes that there are other hills to climb. Today the threat of lifestyle diseases also known as non-communicable diseases is real not only in Uganda, but in the rest of the world. It is one of the ‘other hills’ we need to conquer. And I believe it’s in such gatherings that interventions are arrived at to guide policymakers and implementers in all must-win, life-threatening struggles.

As a country, we remain the world’s second youngest population, with up to 48.7 percent of our populace under the age of 15. As we all know, the future belongs to them, and if we don’t do something that will keep our children and children’s children in ravishing health, then we will have cheated ourselves in the end. So, let us renew our commitment in investing in scientific research and training, exploiting technological innovations, and supporting every agenda that promotes the wellbeing of humanity. Remember: no health, no wealth.

It is my pleasure on behalf of the government of Uganda to welcome you to this wonderful country and to wish you fruitful

Jane Ruth Aceng
Minister of Health, Uganda

I congratulate Makerere University and Uganda upon hosting the World Health Summit Regional Meeting 2020. This is a great opportunity for the world to focus on Africa’s health, learn from its successes, and lay strategies for future collaborations.

Uganda is committed to expanding frontline health services, with a focus on primary healthcare, training and deployment of Community Health Extension workers to mobilize and sensitize the communities on health promotion and prevention and expanding pooling arrangements to improve financial protection through establishment of mandatory health insurance for all.

Health is increasingly influenced by factors outside the control of the health ministries; such as trade, education, nutrition and food security, war, migration and climate change health security and public health preparedness to confront and optimally respond to epidemics is of paramount importance.

Uganda calls for global solidarity in resourcing and strengthening health systems for the achievement of UHC. UHC gives us a tremendous opportunity to eradicate poverty and diseases and ensure a healthier and more productive society.

Barnabas Nawangwe
Vice Chancellor, Makerere University

It is a great honor for Africa and Uganda in particular to host the World Health Summit Regional Meeting for the very first time. It shows the giant strides the continent is making in improving health for its inhabitants whilst trying to match the highest global health standards.

It goes without saying that life, or health for that matter, is the most precious gift anyone could have, for without life nothing can move. Which is why any forum that concerns itself with guaranteeing the human right of health in its fullness like the World Health Summit has done since 2009, must be applauded.

Although the World Health Summit and Regional Meetings have seen a lot of success over the years, we cannot afford the luxury of resting on our laurels. Emerging new threats, such as non-communicable diseases—today the leading cause of death, especially in third-world countries— along with other health risks must be confronted and counteracted.

Therefore, the 2020 World Health Summit Regional Meeting is timely and hugely important considering that thousands of global health experts and other stakeholders in government, academia, business and the private sector will converge to share notes and experiences, and make recommendations that policymakers can adopt and implement for the well-being of all. The ideas presented during the meeting will certainly draw from the latest scientific research findings and shall be massively edifying.

We must continue to work and intervene together to improve the healthcare system globally, thereby facilitating a long and prosperous life for ourselves, and for our children, and children’s children. I therefore call upon you to support this important cause in all ways possible.

I also welcome you all to Uganda, the country whose beauty so mesmerized Sir Winston Churchill that he christened it “the Pearl of Africa.” Looking forward to seeing you all and wishing you a fruitful meeting.

Charles Ibingira
2020 International President,
World Health Summit

As Makerere University College of Health Sciences, we are extremely delighted to be leading the preparations for hosting World Health Summit Regional Meeting 2020. All the busy meetings and endless correspondences are nothing compared to the health rewards that will accrue from such a significant meeting.

It is important to remember that this is first World Health Summit Regional Meeting ever to be hosted on African soil. Uganda being the only African member of the M8 Alliance is setting a fantastic precedence for the rest of Africa. Although the health problems that affect us are universal – affecting people even in the developed world, it is important to acknowledge that Africa still has a long way to go in formulating and implementing better health policies for the benefit of its people.

This makes a gathering like the 2020 Regional Meeting so crucial, with over 2,000 health professionals and other stakeholders in govern- ment and the private sector coming together to exchange knowledge and ideas on how to invest better in health and maximize that to create wealth for our nations. It is a no-brainer that no nation can make steady economic progress when its people are dying and battling poor health.

I’m optimistic that the meeting will stir us all to think better and work harder to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, all of which pertain to health, whether directly or indirectly.

As a nation, with the help of the global community, we have fought many bruising battles including HIV/AIDS and epidemics like Ebola that have won us a bit of admiration from the world. Yet no nation can fight alone and overcome, especially with ever-emerging new threats. If there was a time when it was most pertinent for nations to work together, that time is now. Only a multilateral cooperation will help us to solve the health issues that affect us all.

I applaud the achievements of the World Health Summit since it was inaugurated in 2009; those achievements are many and very inspirational. But there is still a lot to be done. By investing more in scientific research, steadfastly engaging with policymakers, and exploiting technological innovations, we can score more goals. Together, steadily, I believe we shall eventually defeat death, which the Bible says will be the last enemy to be defeated.

Thank you all for identifying with the World Health Summit Regional Meeting 2020; I wish you a wonderful stay and successful discussions.