09/05/2026
Is the government, Ministry of Health or Ministry of Education running away from its mandate by launching the National Education and Training for Health Policy?
✨The answer is a big NO.✨
Our CEO, Ms. Winnie Nabukeera, had the opportunity to attend this recent conference in Jinja, held under the theme: "Aligning Health Policy, Education, and Training with Health System Needs for Sustainable and Responsive Health Service Delivery."
On behalf of LWF, we warmly congratulate the Ministry of Education, especially the Commissioner for Health Education and Training, Dr. Safina Museene and the entire leadership team, for putting together this policy.
A lot was shared, notes were taken, feedback was given. Now the policy is born. The real question is, how does it grow to truly impact the health service system?
Personally, I was deeply impressed to learn and understand how policies are formed. This policy focuses on six key objectives,
1. Adequacy of trainees
2. Specialized enrollment
3. Quality and quantity of trainers
4. Quality of training facilities
5. Internship and clinical practice
6. Continuous professional development
Looking at these objectives, I believe we are destined for the best products of our training system.
There was concern from some stakeholders about not being consulted, but it was later clarified that key engagements did take place.
A major point of discussion was the shift to a 6-year medical training model (including internship, with graduation happening after internship). Similar changes are planned for nursing and pharmacy programs.
A big issue arose around internship payments which have been scrapped.
Parents and guardians will now need to support their children through internship, except for government-sponsored students, who will continue to be catered for until they complete their programs.
This has raised many eyebrows. The strategy has changed. The policy is launched and ready for implementation.
So what next?
We must accept and work within the policy guidelines. It is what it is assigned and sealed.
Questions were also raised,with all these strict policies, we still have high unemployment in the country.
The response was that there are plans to enhance wages and increase absorption of healthcare workers at all cadres within the system.
I wanted to give you a picture of what transpired so you know where Uganda is heading.
Now, how does LWF align with this policy?
We commit to,
1. Address unemployment among healthcare workers through structured business accelerator programs that spark creativity and innovation in job creation aligning with SDGs&NDP2030.
2. Design soft skills and work readiness programs that prepare graduates for the complexity of the system helping them become resilient and job-ready.
3. Design transformative CPD programs that challenge the status quo, raise standards and keep the healthcare workforce up to date.
4. Collaborate and partner with relevant authorities, government, ministries, health facilities and training institutions to continue empowering healthcare workers helping them develop the right attitude, mindset and skills to transform healthcare.
Moving forward, this is a collective effort.
You, me, all of us we have a big role to play to make things better.
What are your thoughts? What are you doing to make things better?
www.littlewinniefoundation.org
Soft skills|Entrepreneurship|Work readiness programs
Office:Kitende entebbe road
