Museveni to Open Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance, Silent Epidemics

The Makerere University College of Health sciences (MakCHS), Uganda Medical Association (UMA), Ministry of Health (MoH), World Health organization (WHO), Uganda National association of community and occupational health (UNACOH) are set to hold the 15th annual scientific health conference to address the concerns of disease drug resistance, silent diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, occupational hazards and injuries among others.

The conference which will take place from 6th to 8th November 2019 at Hotel Africana in Kampala is expected to be graced by President Yoweri Museveni.

Addressing journalists at Makerere University college of Health sciences at Mulago hospital yesterday, Dr. Fred Bwanga a senior lecturer at the college said infectious disease epidemics which are mostly referred to as silent epidemics will be fully discussed.

“These silent infectious epidemics are those such as Hepatitis B, drug resistant TB, drug resistant HIV, Ebola and others”.  he said

He also said pseudo or false epidemics such as syphilis, brucella, typhoid etc which are most times told to patients especially when they make their way to clinics will be exhausted.

Dr. Hakim Sendagire a lecturer at Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) said other diseases of life style such as hypertension, diabetes which come as a result of poor living habits such as poor feeding, smoking, drug abuse, lack of exercise will

Various researchers have been invited to discuss solutions to the challenge of drug resistance and will make a detailed presentation at the conference.

Dr. Deogracious Sekimpi who specializes in occupational and environmental health said health systems and occupational and environmental health will be keenly addressed at the conference.

According to Dr. Ekwaru Obuku the president Uganda Medical Association (UMA), this conference will also pay close attention to health in the area of oil and gas which causes water and air pollution that eventually leads to non-communicable diseases.