The Ministry of Health has urged researchers, universities and policymakers to strengthen collaboration and ensure scientific findings are translated into practical interventions to reduce Uganda’s burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases.
Dr Stavia Turyshabwe, Commissioner for Communicable Disease Prevention and Control at the Ministry of Health, made the call while addressing participants at the 20th Joint Annual Scientific Health Conference (JASH) and the second Annual Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases Conference at Speke Resort Munyonyo.
The conference, held under the theme “Unified Action Against Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases,” brought together researchers, academics, policymakers and health professionals to discuss research findings, assess existing interventions and identify strategies for improving healthcare delivery.
Dr Turyshabwe said the annual gathering provides an opportunity to examine the relationship between scientific research and government policy, stressing that evidence generated by researchers should guide national health priorities and the delivery of services.
She emphasised the need for stronger links between government institutions, universities and other health sector stakeholders to ensure that research findings inform decisions and produce measurable improvements in public health.
The Ministry identified communicable and non-communicable diseases as continuing challenges for Uganda’s health system, alongside emerging threats such as antimicrobial resistance and climate-sensitive diseases.
It also pointed to the risk of cross-border transmission of infectious diseases, noting that continued outbreaks in neighbouring countries and the movement of people across borders require sustained surveillance, preparedness and coordinated responses.
To address these challenges, the Ministry highlighted the need to strengthen health infrastructure, integrate health services, improve data systems and ensure that scientific research informs the design and implementation of health programmes.
Other priorities include developing a skilled health workforce, increasing sustainable domestic financing for disease prevention and control, and strengthening the country’s capacity to prepare for and respond to public health emergencies.
Dr Turyshabwe called on universities and medical training institutions to play a greater role in generating evidence that supports national health programmes, evaluates interventions and guides future policy decisions.
She said researchers should go beyond producing studies to assess whether existing interventions are achieving their intended objectives and provide evidence to help government improve programmes that are delivering limited results.
The Ministry also emphasised the importance of integrating services for communicable diseases with interventions targeting other health conditions to improve access to prevention, screening, early detection and treatment.
This approach includes using existing community health platforms and coordinated campaigns to deliver multiple essential services, reduce missed opportunities for care and make better use of available resources.
The Ministry further called for stronger coordination among government agencies, academic institutions, civil society organisations and private sector partners to support research, improve service delivery and strengthen people-centred healthcare.
Improved coordination, officials said, would help ensure that available resources are directed towards interventions that respond to the country’s health priorities and produce tangible benefits for communities.
The conference is expected to provide a platform for participants to share research findings, strengthen partnerships and identify practical ways of translating scientific knowledge into policies and programmes aimed at reducing Uganda’s disease burden.
The discussions come as the country continues to address both infectious diseases and conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer, which require sustained investment in prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment.
