Japan govt pivotal in Uganda's health improvement - Prof Omaswa

The executive director of the African Centre for Global Health and Social Transformation (ACHEST), Prof Francis Omaswa, has commended the outgoing Ambassador of Japan to Uganda, Mr Kazuaki Kameda for the support his government rendered to Uganda especially in the health sector during his four-year tenure.

He lauded Japanese government for their support towards Uganda’s development and urged them to continue boosting the health sector.

"Uganda’s health sector has greatly been improved, especially the western regional hospitals in Uganda have been boosted and infrastructures developed through Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA),” Prof Omaswa said.

Prof Omaswa noted that in  2019, ACHEST conducted a study in the Western Uganda’s regional hospitals such as Mbarara, Fort Portal and Hoima Regional Referral Hospitals to establish why they have the highest maternal mortality rate in the country.

In his farewell message, Mr Kazuaki said Uganda has a high standard of staff within the medical field who can ensure better health care within the country. This he said had enabled him to interact with devoted health personnel like Prof Omaswa.

“Japan is committed to contributing to the universal health in Uganda and pledge continued support despite the end of his four year tenure,” Mr Kazuaki said.

Prof Omaswa who was awarded the third Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize Award in the category of medical services to Africa and the world in Japan's capital Tokyo last year, revealed his close working relations with the Japan government.

The prize honors individuals with outstanding achievements in the field of medical research and medical services to combat infectious and other diseases in Africa.

Prof Omaswa's award was in honour of his dedication in addressing the global health crisis across and worldwide.