As Prepared For Delivery.
Good afternoon, distinguished visitors, college students and future leaders, educators, healthcare professionals, and policymakers. It is an honor to attend the Uganda National Students’ Health Conference 2025. Thank you to the Own Your Future Campus Initiative, the Uganda AIDS Commission, the Uganda National Students Association, and different companions for organizing this essential occasion.
I might additionally prefer to acknowledge the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, the Director General of the Uganda AIDS Commission, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, commissioners and all different stakeholders who’ve joined us immediately.
Today’s occasion reminds us of the important function that younger folks play in shaping the way forward for our societies. The United States, by means of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), has been a steadfast associate in the battle towards HIV/AIDS in Uganda, working to help the 1.4 million folks on lifesaving HIV remedy.
The success of the PEPFAR strategy to HIV is because of collaborations between scientists, clinicians, public well being specialists and group colleagues. In Uganda, we have now collectively constructed native capability, strengthened establishments, and promoted sustainable, systemic change.
As we stand right here immediately, U.S. authorities help continues to help well being companies for susceptible communities throughout the nation. While there have been modifications to U.S. overseas help over the previous few months as the United States authorities’s overseas help is being fastidiously reviewed to make sure most influence and effectivity in supporting prosperity, safety, and security, we proceed to supply life-saving and humanitarian companies.
This consists of important medicines and provides and help for ending HIV, TB, malaria and enhancing maternal child well being, and to stop, detect and comprise infectious illness. The Ministry of Health in addition to educational and group organizations are additionally utilizing the huge expertise and experience gained by means of many years of partnership with the U.S. authorities to deal with surprising well being challenges and proceed constructing resilient well being techniques.
As future leaders, it’s extra essential than ever for you all to be at the forefront of innovation and options. You have a novel alternative to make the most of new applied sciences, analysis, and group engagement to develop and implement options that may make a significant influence. Thinking boldly whereas collaborating with different stakeholders at all ranges can result in important progress.
It is a undeniable fact that higher training results in higher well being outcomes. A nation’s truest wealth lies in its folks, with Human Capital Wealth accounting for nearly three-quarters of the nationwide wealth. However, Uganda’s Human Capital Index in 2020 confirmed {that a} child born in Uganda will solely be 38% as productive as they might be if they’d an entire training and good well being. As Uganda’s inhabitants development is the third-fastest in the world, addressing this human capital funding hole is essential to constructing a extra affluent and well being future.
During considered one of my visits to a group well being middle, I had the privilege of studying about the inspiring story of Carol, a younger lady whose life was remodeled through U.S. supported packages that actively have interaction younger folks in nation well being packages.
Carol remains to be in her early 20s and grew up in a difficult setting, raised by her single mom who struggled to supply for the household. Despite these hardships, Carol’s journey from vulnerability to empowerment is a testomony to the influence that complete help can have on our youth.
With assist from U.S. supported initiatives, Carol obtained very important well being companies, together with HIV prevention and remedy, in addition to coaching in violence prevention and socio-economic empowerment. She pursued a course in bedside nursing and now works at Mukono Church of Uganda Hospital. Carol additionally makes use of her expertise in make-up artistry to run a facet enterprise and help different younger girls to hitch comparable initiatives.
Carol’s story demonstrates the profound influence that youth can have for guaranteeing a wholesome nation. By empowering younger folks with training, sources, and alternatives, we can assist them overcome challenges and obtain their desires.
As we close to this yr’s International Candlelight Commemorations, we have now a chance honor the reminiscence of those that have misplaced their lives to AIDS by redoubling our efforts to help and empower our youth. The U.S authorities emphasizes person-centered care to advance the features in the HIV response. Carol’s story demonstrates how complete help and empowerment can remodel lives and contribute to a more healthy society.
Moving ahead, younger leaders and stakeholders working collectively will undoubtedly have the biggest influence in making Uganda, the United States, and the world protected from HIV. You all have the energy to make a difference.
By collaborating throughout sectors and disciplines, empowering communities to collectively lead the battle towards HIV, and embracing innovation to fulfill evolving wants, we are able to be sure that younger folks like Carol have the data and alternatives to attain their desires. And we are able to additionally attain a future the place HIV is now not a risk to our well being and well-being anyplace. Your voices, concepts, and actions can be very important in making this imaginative and prescient a actuality.
In this spirit, I urge all of you to take full benefit of this convention. Engage in significant discussions, share your experiences, and collaborate on revolutionary options.
In closing, allow us to do not forget that ending the battle towards HIV is essential to all for a safer and more healthy future – it is a marathon, not a dash. There is way work nonetheless to do.
However, by working collectively to constantly monitor progress, deal with challenges, and empowering communities and youth, there isn’t any doubt that we are able to obtain a more healthy, extra affluent, and safer future the place HIV is now not a risk to Uganda, the United States, or the world. Thank you!
