UGANDA – Amref Health Africa, one of the largest non-governmental international organization based in Africa, has announced the appointment of Dr Elizabeth Ekirapa as chair of its Uganda Advisory Council.
The Advisory Council is an organ in the structure of Amref Health Africa that provides strategic support and perspective to the management of the organization’s programs in Uganda.
Dr Elizabeth becomes the first woman to head the Advisory Council and she brings to the table an extensive experience in the field of public health and health economy.
She is a respected medical doctor with an advanced degree in public health and health economics besides being a PHD holder in health systems research.
Moreover, Dr Elizabeth is currently a senior lecturer in the department of health policy, planning and management at the school of public health in Makerere University.
The leadership experience demonstrated by the newly appointed chairperson is expected to bring more innovative and sustainable ideas which will lead Amref Health Africa to greater heights.
During the Amref Health Africa Advisory Council transition event luncheon held at Golden Tulip, Ekirapa said that she will ensure the organization grows in terms of the scope of service and address the emerging needs.
She further stated that Amref needed to grow its capacity in the area of health financing.
“There is a need for Amref to do more to address the health finance needs in the country in order to support efforts that ensure people have the finances they need to access health care and support the government initiatives to improve access to health care,” she argued.
Ekirapa also noted that Amref needs to expand E-health because the need has also increased as Amref Health Africa-Uganda is currently operating in 54 districts.
The outgoing chairperson, Dr George Kirya applauded the interventions by Amref Uganda to directly provide to communities with different categories of health workers especially the midwives, laboratory technicians and Village Health Teams.
Amref Health Africa partners with the Uganda Ministry of Health, Ministry of Water, Ministry of Education and Sports and corporate and non-profit organizations to improve access to health services across the country.
The country manager for Amref Health Africa-Uganda, Dr Patrick Kagurusi, commended the Advisory council members who have volunteered to serve in the challenging circumstances.
He also praised the former chair for leading the team and getting Amref far.
Kagurusi concluded that they were going to develop the strategy for Amref for the next 5 years to improve lives of disadvantaged Ugandans.
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