3rd national health professionals training conference set for Jinja

27 March 2025, 12:30 pm

By Ronald Ssemagonja

The Commissioner for Business, Technical, and Vocational Education and Training (BTVET) at the Ministry of Education and Sports, Dr. Safinah Museene, confirmed to journalists at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala yesterday that her department will organise the extraordinary Third Training of Health Professionals and Health Care Conference. The event will take place in Jinja district at the Source of the Nile from April 1 to April 4, 2025, with President Yoweri Museveni expected as the Guest of Honor. The conference will be held under the theme, “A Transformed Health Education and Training for Better Health Outcomes and a Productive Population.”

“We appreciate the opportunity to communicate with the public. We are fully prepared for the third conference, where we expect about 400 participants, including policymakers in health education and training, researchers, healthcare administrators, and student leaders, among others. The conference will primarily feature presentations of research and innovative papers, along with a skills competition. In February, health institutions held regional competitions in nursing, midwifery, clinical medicine, and medical laboratory fields,” Dr. Museene stated.

She added that students who performed well at the regional level will compete at the national level from April 2 to April 3, 2025. “During the conference, we will also have exhibitions, and we encourage all stakeholders to attend, as the event will be full of opportunities. Students are our priority, which is why they are included, and their leaders will have a chance to engage with them,” she added.

At the same press briefing, the Minister of State for Higher Education, Hon. John C. Muyingo, urged Ugandans involved in health education and training to actively participate in the conference.

“I call upon all Ugandans in the field of health education and training to attend and participate actively in this conference. There are many changes happening in the medical field, especially in skills development. This platform will enable us to share insights, knowledge, and expertise to ensure we provide quality healthcare training in this country,” he stated.

Addressing the issue of unlicensed medical schools operating in some parts of the country, the minister advised such institutions to comply with legal requirements before facing consequences.

“It is unacceptable to have a training institution, particularly in the health sector, operating without a license. I advise these institutions to seek approval from the relevant authorities before offering health training programs. If they continue operating illegally, the law will take its course,” he warned.

Regarding challenges faced by learners in medical training institutions, including cases where some students have tragically lost their lives, the minister emphasised that the conference will include discussions to address these concerns and find sustainable solutions.