Uganda’s health sector is intensifying efforts to improve patient care by strengthening non-clinical competencies among health workers, as experts stress the growing importance of soft skills in healthcare delivery.
This was the central focus of the 2nd National Soft Skills in Healthcare Conference 2026, organised by the Little Winnie Foundation in partnership with the Ministry of Health and other training institutions.
The conference, held from April 23–24 at Pope Paul Memorial Hotel, brought together more than 300 health professionals, policymakers, and educators.
The event was officially opened on behalf of Health Minister Jane Ruth Aceng by Dr Joseph Okware, director of governance and regulation at the ministry.
He reaffirmed government commitment to integrating soft skills such as communication, empathy, leadership, and professionalism into health training programmes.
“We are working to ensure that health workers are not only clinically competent but also equipped with communication, empathy, and leadership skills that directly impact patient recovery and safety,” Okware said.
The conference highlighted persistent challenges in Uganda’s healthcare system, including overcrowded facilities, workforce burnout, and gaps in interpersonal skills that affect service delivery.
Presentations indicated that more than 70 percent of nurses feel inadequately prepared in essential soft skills, while over 60 percent report burnout, which can compromise patient safety.
Experts also noted that poor communication remains one of the leading causes of preventable medical errors globally, reinforcing the need to address the human side of healthcare alongside clinical training and infrastructure development.
Speaking at the conference, Stella Abigali Kisolo from the Uganda Nurses and Midwives Council shared her experience in patient care, emphasising the role of dignity and compassion.
“I often cared for patients who were unconscious or abandoned. Treating them with dignity and kindness made a difference not just in their recovery, but in how communities viewed healthcare,” she said.
She added that attitude plays a central role in patient experience.
“Health workers should maintain a welcoming approach. Patients may forget what you said, but they will remember how you made them feel,” she noted.
Discussions at the conference emphasised that soft skills extend beyond communication to include professionalism, confidentiality, cleanliness, adaptability, and emotional intelligence. Health workers were encouraged to explain procedures clearly, listen actively to patients, and maintain respectful interactions.
Participants also stressed the importance of self-care among health workers, noting that emotional wellbeing is essential in reducing burnout and improving service delivery. Experts said a healthy caregiver is better positioned to provide safe and quality care.
The conference further explored practical interventions such as mentorship programmes, emotional resilience training, leadership development, and the integration of digital tools, including artificial intelligence, in healthcare systems.
According to the Little Winnie Foundation, accredited by the Uganda Nurses and Midwives Council, more than 5,000 health workers have been trained since 2019 in patient-centred communication, mental health awareness, and conflict resolution.
The foundation has also partnered with over 30 health facilities to integrate soft skills into routine practice.
Foundation founder Winnie Nabukeera said the initiative aims to restore dignity in healthcare services.
“Beyond every diagnosis is a human being who deserves compassion. Strengthening soft skills while supporting the wellbeing of health workers is key to improving both care and patient outcomes,” she said.
Stakeholders called for sustained collaboration between government, training institutions, and development partners to ensure soft skills become a core component of Uganda’s health system, with the goal of improving trust, safety, and overall patient experience.
