The Health Forum: Turning Health Challenges into Opportunities
In a bold and inspiring move, the Korea Foundation for International Healthcare (KOFIH) Global Alumni (KGA) Uganda chapter is hosting a 3-day Health Forum under the theme 'Turning Health Challenges into Opportunities for Change.' The event aims to unite health professionals, policymakers, researchers, and community leaders to spark innovative dialogue and drive collaborative action on Uganda’s most pressing health concerns.
Addressing Uganda’s Critical Health Priorities
Uganda continues to face a heavy burden of infectious diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV, alongside a rising wave of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including diabetes, hypertension, and cancer. However, these challenges are now compounded by the recent Health Aid cuts, which have strained many of the country’s essential health programs. The US has historically been one of Uganda’s largest supporters in HIV/AIDS care, maternal and child health, malaria prevention, supply-chain strengthening, and community health programming. Reductions in its funding have disrupted service delivery, affecting access to Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART), prevention services, integrated community health support, and disease surveillance efforts. This has created an urgent need for the health sector to explore innovative, sustainable, and diversified financing approaches.
Emergency Medical Services remain an under-resourced but high-impact component of Uganda’s health system. Nearly 52% of mortality in Uganda is considered preventable with a functional Emergency Medicine Service (EMS) system.
The US funding cuts have also affected areas such as emergency response preparedness and support to community-based and district health systems that often rely on donor-funded logistics or training. As such, the forum will emphasise the need to build stronger domestic investment, enhance coordination, and develop sustainable EMS models that do not depend solely on external partners.
The forum will therefore not only highlight clinical and public health challenges but also examine how Uganda can maintain progress in infectious disease control, NCD management, and community health despite shifts in international funding landscapes.
“Our goal is to shift from identifying problems to identifying innovative ways for sustainable healthcare improvements.Â
A Platform for Collaboration and Innovation
Participants from government agencies, academia, non-governmental organisations, and the private sector will engage in knowledge sharing, policy discussions, and collaborative planning. The inter-sectoral approach emphasises the power of partnership in achieving lasting health system improvements.
The Health Forum also provides a platform for alumni and partners to showcase innovations, research findings, and initiatives that have made a measurable impact across communities. Through this exchange, KGA hopes to strengthen health leadership, promote evidence-based decision-making, and encourage investment in resilient health systems.
As Uganda continues to face evolving health challenges, Â The Health Forum is one of the initiatives to bring together stakeholders to discuss innovative avenues that will transform barriers into opportunities, and unite all partners under a shared vision of healthier, stronger communities.
