The Ministry of Health has commended ten newly trained sonographers for strengthening maternal and newborn healthcare services across public health facilities in the Busoga and Rwenzori sub-regions.
The medical personnel, consisting primarily of midwives and nurses stationed at Health Centre IVs and General Hospitals, graduated with a Diploma in Diagnostic Ultrasound (Sonography). They completed their specialized medical training at the Ernest Cook Ultrasound Research and Education Institute (ECUREI). The scholastic intervention falls under the WeCare Project, a collaborative initiative implemented by Enabel in partnership with the Ministry of Health. The Ministry stated that upskilling health workers already in service remains a critical model to improve rural maternal health outcomes.
The Director General of Health Services, Dr. Charles Olaro, praised the program for directly responding to the urgent clinical needs of pregnant mothers in rural areas. He emphasized that the government must expand access to quality diagnostic tools by simultaneously upgrading medical equipment and human resource capacity. Dr. Olaro also noted that the ministry is actively working to establish clear career progression pathways for specialized nursing staff.
“The Ministry further reaffirmed its commitment to working with development partners and local governments to expand access to quality diagnostic services across the country.”
The Enabel in Uganda Country Director described the training framework as a core component of a broader bilateral partnership between Uganda and Belgium. The international development project seeks to improve newborn survival rates by strengthening emergency referral networks, district leadership, and grassroots community engagement. The Country Director revealed that the ten graduates have already conducted over 10,323 ultrasound scans within just five months of their field deployment. This rapid clinical output has significantly expanded access to free diagnostic services for expectant mothers who previously relied on expensive private clinics.
The students’ representative, Ms. Marion Kainza, expressed deep gratitude to the Belgian Embassy, ECUREI, and the health ministry for sponsoring the intensive diploma course. She noted that before this intervention, several Health Centre IVs in the two sub-regions lacked the vital combination of trained personnel and functional imaging equipment.
Kainza urged the government to leverage this success by improving general staff welfare, supplying more medical consumables, and creating advanced career opportunities for rural health workers. Dr. Olaro concluded by reminding the graduates to maintain strict professionalism, accurate clinical documentation, and high infection prevention standards during their daily operations.
