C-Care Uganda has hosted its first-ever Health Symposium at Mestil Hotel, bringing together healthcare experts, researchers, and policymakers to explore the future of healthcare under the theme “Evolution in Healthcare: From Innovation to Excellence.”
The event focused on emerging medical technologies, specialist healthcare training, research, and the importance of stronger partnerships between public and private healthcare institutions.
Speaking as the guest of honour, Dr Rosemary Byanyima encouraged healthcare providers to embrace innovation as a key driver of better patient outcomes and improved service delivery. She praised C-Care Uganda for creating a platform that supports collaboration and knowledge sharing within the medical sector.
Dr Byanyima said Uganda’s healthcare system has great potential if institutions continue investing in research, technology, and partnerships. She also emphasised the need for closer cooperation between public, private, and non-profit healthcare providers in order to achieve universal health coverage.
According to Dr Byanyima, Uganda has made notable progress in maternal and child health over the years. She revealed that maternal mortality had reduced significantly from 430 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2011 to 150 deaths per 100,000 by 2020.
The Executive Director of Mulago National Referral Hospital also highlighted the growing impact of technology in healthcare, pointing to artificial intelligence, telemedicine, tele-radiology, telepathology, and electronic medical records as critical innovations shaping the future of medicine.
She disclosed that Mulago Hospital plans to fully digitise its operations within the next five years through a special grant aimed at improving efficiency and patient care. However, she stressed that healthcare workers must also be trained to effectively use these technologies.
Dr Byanyima further expressed concern over the shortage of medical specialists in Uganda, particularly in rural areas, as well as the growing migration of health workers abroad.
During the symposium, several medical professionals presented research findings on major health challenges affecting Uganda and shared insights on improving specialised healthcare services.
Dr Juma Fauz Kavuma reflected on C-Care Uganda’s 30-year contribution to specialised healthcare, highlighting achievements such as conducting Uganda’s first open-heart surgery and first minimally invasive surgery.
He also noted that the hospital became the first healthcare institution in East Africa to receive accreditation from the Council for Health Service Accreditation of Southern Africa (COHSASA), maintaining the certification for more than ten years.
Dr Kavuma said the institution aims to reduce the number of Ugandans travelling abroad for treatment by strengthening specialised healthcare services within the country. He called for increased investment in emergency care, specialist training, and advanced diagnostic technology.
Meanwhile, Dr Peter Kavuma presented research on advanced life support and resuscitation skills among healthcare workers, noting that internationally recognised emergency care training is now available locally, reducing the need for Ugandan clinicians to seek certification abroad.
Research presented at the symposium showed that sudden cardiac arrest contributes to approximately 3.7 million deaths globally every year, with low-income countries experiencing higher mortality due to weak emergency response systems.
The symposium also featured findings from Dr Dan Oriba Langoya on acute kidney injury in Uganda. He explained that infections such as malaria, tuberculosis, and sepsis remain major causes of kidney complications, while snakebite-related kidney injuries are increasingly being reported in northern Uganda.
Dr Langoya warned that nearly 95% of acute kidney injuries in Uganda are community-acquired, making early diagnosis and treatment critical. He also highlighted the shortage of kidney specialists in the country.
On malaria-related complications, Dr Andrew Ddamulira discussed secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a rare but potentially fatal inflammatory condition linked to severe malaria infections. He cautioned that some unexplained deaths among malaria patients may be connected to undiagnosed HLH cases, calling for more research and awareness.
