State Minister for Health in-charge of General Duties, Hanifa Kawooya, has urged for boda boda riders and police officers to be formally integrated into Uganda’s emergency response system.
Speaking at the Emergency Medical Day celebrations held in Kampala, organized by Seed Global Health in partnership with the Ministry of Health, Minister Kawooya highlighted that these groups are often the first responders at emergency scenes such as road accidents but currently lack the necessary training to provide effective assistance.
She emphasized the need to increase resources to strengthen emergency services nationwide, despite current limitations.
At the event, Irene Atuhairwe, Country Director of Seed Global Health, reported that emergency cases in Uganda have declined by half over the past 20 years.
However, she noted that road accidents, maternity labor complications, and non-communicable diseases still account for a significant number of emergencies.
Atuhairwe also shared findings from a survey conducted across 70 hospitals in the country, revealing challenges such as shortages of medical supplies, limited skills among health workers, and a lack of specialists in many rural health centers.
By Ben Musanje
27th May 2025
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