Bravo to this young group of Ministers of Health from more than 40 Universities & Health Institutions across Uganda. I launched their consortium today at MOH & am glad that they seek to increase awareness of Sickle Cell Disease, mass testing for young adults and the gene dilution
Today I launched the National Immunization Symposium. Uganda's immunization package now has 14 antigens compared to 6 more that 30 years ago. Immunization remains the biggest and most effective public health intervention for disease prevention.
I hit the ground running with a visit to Hoima & Masindi districts today, together with the Rt Hon Prime Minister @RobinahNabbanja & Minister of State for Sports @OgwangOgwang to do ground breaking of construction works at Busheruka HCV, Hoima referral & Masindi General Hospitals
I assumed office today in a ceremony witnessed by the incoming &outgoing ministers& the technical team at MOH. We have hit the ground running. I look forward to working with @BaryomunsiChris , @HonAnifaKawooya & the technical team led by @DianaAtwine . For God & My Country
Attending a Health Financing conference. African countries need to self reflect on the future of domestic health financing as a matter of urgency. We need to further address gaps in accountability of funds, medicines&supplies, HR and equipment etc
Addressing occupational and environmental drivers of antimicrobial resistance is critical to preventing the emergence and spread of resistant infections in Uganda.
The meeting emphasized that AMR prevention begins with protecting those most exposed.@IDIMakerere@ntvuganda
Strengthen infection prevention and control (IPC) training for sanitation and waste workers.
Expand AMR surveillance to include environmental and occupational exposure sites
NEMA to strengthen monitoring of antimicrobial residues in environmental systems.
PF-AMR to champion legislative oversight on occupational health protections.
The meeting resolved that:
•Integrate AMR considerations into mining, environmental, and occupational safety regulations
•Strengthen enforcement of PPE requirements for high-risk workers
•Develop national guidelines on AMR risk prevention for sanitation and mining sectors
PPE provision and enforcement remain inadequate, especially in informal and subcontracted labour systems
Environmental contamination is a major but under-recognized driver of antimicrobial resistance
Multi-sector coordination under the One Health approach requires strengthening.
The meeting observed that:
1. AMR risks among sanitation and mining workers remain largely invisible in national AMR interventions.
2. Occupational health protections are inconsistently implemented across sectors.
Participants noted that cleaners, waste handlers, and miners are increasingly exposed to
•Drug-resistant pathogens from medical and municipal waste
•Bioaerosols and inhalable contaminants
•Antimicrobial residues entering soil and water systems
•Heavy metals
The meeting was attended by representatives from:
•Minister of Energy and Mineral Development
•Uganda Chamber of Mines and Petroleum
•National Environment Management Authority (NEMA)
•One Health Platform Uganda
•Makerere University Lung Institute etc
The meeting was convened in recognition that AMR is not only a health sector issue but a One Health and cross-sectoral governance challenge affecting environment, mining, sanitation, labour, and public health systems. @MinofHealthUG
These categories of workers are routinely exposed to pathogens, antimicrobial residues, heavy metals, and contaminated environments without adequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), occupational health safeguards, or infection prevention systems. @bayloruganda@IDIMakerere
The meeting was to examine the growing risks of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) arising from inadequate occupational protection of frontline workers, particularly:
•Cleaners and sanitation workers
•Solid waste handlers
•Miners and mining sector workers
Using drugs without a health worker’s guidance can mask serious diseases, cause wrong dosing, dangerous side effects, and harmful drug interactions. Misusing antibiotics fuels antimicrobial resistance, making infections harder and costlier to treat
Using drugs without a health worker’s guidance can mask serious diseases, cause wrong dosing, dangerous side effects, and harmful drug interactions. Misusing antibiotics fuels antimicrobial resistance, making infections harder and costlier to treat