CUAMM team in Uganda has recently received a delegation from the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) led by AICS Director General Mr. Marco Rusconi and accompanied by AICS Desk Officer for Eastern and Southern Africa Ms. Paola Abenante, Director of AICS office in Kampala Mrs. Teresa Savanella and the AICS Uganda Program Coordinator Dr Paolo Giambelli.
The occasion was an official visit by the Italian Ministry for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation/Directorate General for Development Cooperation (MAECI/DGCS) and AICS for a bilateral meeting on the perspectives of development cooperation with the Government of Uganda.
The AICS delegation paid a visit to two hospitals supported by CUAMM, namely St. John XXIII Hospital Aber in Lango region and St. Kizito Hospital Matany in Karamoja on the 2nd of March where they have been welcomed and guided by CUAMM Country Manager Mr. Peter Lochoro. By visiting the facilities, the delegation had the opportunity to meet up with both the hospital administration staff and CUAMM health workers.
CUAMM regional coordinator Mr. Simone Cadorin hosted the visit at St. Kizito Hospital Matany. On this occasion, the participants had the chance to discuss the “ALL IN ONE” project on antimicrobial resistance funded by AICS and implemented by Doctors with Africa CUAMM and C&S Africa Mission. This visit was also the occasion for Mr. Peter Lochoro to present the work CUAMM has been and still is doing in the region and indeed in the entire country. Doctors with Africa CUAMM works in Uganda since 1958, to date the Organization supports 13 hospitals and 354 health facilities across the country. The main area of intervention include maternal and neonatal care, prevention and control of infectious diseases and nutrition.
«Despite the challenges we face every day, we remain committed to supporting Matany hospital. Today, we are glad to showcase the results of our long-term presence in the region which is key to ensure continuity of care to the people of Karamoja» said Peter Lochoro – CUAMM Country Manager.
The visit arrived in a very challenging moment. Just a month ago the funding cuts on USAID-funded projects executed by the Trump Administration left international organization shocked, including CUAMM.
As a consequence of the notified order, Doctors with Africa CUAMM has been obliged to interrupt its activities on TB and maternal and neonatal care in Karamoja region. A decision which impact is not only devastating on staff members but also, and mostly, on people whose lives may have been saved by health services supported by cooperation interventions. Despite the funds no longer available, CUAMM remains committed to continue its work on TB and maternal and neonatal care in the region.
