Health Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng has flagged off a team of more than 73 medical professionals from Belgium under the organisation Together We Are Strong to support health services in the Lango Sub-region.
The team, which visits Uganda every two years, will deliver both general and specialized services in more than five districts, including Lira City, Lira District, Oyam and Kwania. They will also provide medical supplies and equipment to health facilities.
Dr. Aceng said the partnership goes beyond outreach services to capacity building.
“We are focusing on neonatal care, nutrition, and surgical services. Training for nurses and doctors is underway to reduce newborn mortality and address poor nutrition indicators such as stunting and wasting,” she said.
Some doctors have already been deployed to Oyam, while others were dispatched to Ngeran and different facilities across the sub-region.
Philip Babylon, the team leader, said their mission is built on solidarity and sustainability.
“We are here to stand with the people of Lango. Our work is not only to treat but to empower communities and support Ugandan health workers,” he said.
Babylonb said the organisation considers health education as central to their mission.
“It is important to teach people how to take care of themselves, because prevention is the strongest form of medicine. We are stronger together when we share knowledge and skills,” he added.
In Oyam District, where the first group began work, residents welcomed the initiative. Grace Akullo, a mother of three, said she had walked nearly 10 kilometers to access free treatment.
“I could not afford surgery for my child, but today doctors have assured me they will help. I am very grateful,” says Akullo.