By Nathan Isabirye | Every year health care professionals come together as friends to learn, and to share experiences all over the world in an effort that started a decade ago when the Sixty-third World Health Assembly passed a resolution on Birth Defects in 2010 [WHA63.17 Agenda item 11.7).
This time round, the 9th International Conference on Birth Defects and Disabilities in the Developing World was held in Sri Lanka from 23rd to 26th February 2020 with a theme ‘Accelerating efforts for Birth Defects prevention and care. The conference was deliberated by over 400 leading health care professionals, researchers and representatives from academic, research, government, international development and civil society organizations.
I am a Co–Principal investigator on a March of Dimes funded study project for preconception care. The study aims to explore the current context and feasibility of preconception care service integration in the Ugandan district health system.
Prevalence and etiology of birth defects – experiences from countries
Birth defects (BDs) affect approximately 8 million births annually and account for 11% of neonatal deaths globally. Over 90% of these babies are in low-and middle-income countries. Among those who survive, many experiences lifelong disability. The etiology is largely unknown as 66% causes are multifactorial and unknown. In South -East Asia, major efforts over the past decade have led to a 72% & 62% decline in U5MR & NMR.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe on 20th April 2026 inaugurated the Second Makerere University Health User Committee (Mak-HUC). The Committee was established by the Vice Chancellor in 2022 as part of his strategic mandate to strengthen and oversee the University Hospital services delivery.
Chaired by Dr. Allen Kabagenyi from the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), Mak-HUC has as its members; Prof. Josaphat K. Byamugisha-Director Makerere University Health Services (MakHS) and Dr. Daniel Ronald Ruhweza-Department of Law and Jurisprudence, School of Law.
Other members include; Dr. Arthur Kwizera-Department of Anaesthesia and Critical Care, College of Health Sciences (CHS) and Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA) Representative, Dr. Lillian Tukahirwa-Makerere University Administrative Staff Association (MASA) Representative, Mr. Godfrey Othieno- National Union of Educational Institutions (NUEI) Representative, and as Secretariat, Ms. Kevin M. Nabiryo-Directorate of Human Resources.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (C) interacts with members of the 2nd Mak-HUC.
The 2nd Mak-HUC has been appointed for a period of four years effective 1st January 2026 with a mandate to: Guide, monitor and oversee delivery of health services by MakHS; Represent the interests and concerns of staff and students that use MakHS; Advise on alignment with sustainable health financing and insurance models; Strengthen systems for fraud prevention, digital transformation and access to specialized treatment, among other responsibilities.
The 1st Mak-HUC was chaired by Dr. Allen Kabagenyi and had as members; Prof. Josaphat Byamugisha, Dr. Fred Mayambala, Dr. Zahara Nampewo, Mr. Othieno Godfrey, Mr. Apunyo Paul Okiria and Ms. Ikiriza Racheal. Milestones during the first era included; Outpatient Department visits growth from 4,802 (2022) to 7,388 (Nov 2025) for staff and 14,641 (2022) to 19,069 (Nov 2025) for students.
Others milestones included; Commissioning of a fully equipped Operating Theatre, Establishment of a modern Imaging Hub, Development of a fully functional Audiology Unit, Expansion of the Temporal Bone Laboratory, Launch of the Olink Proteomics Platform and Enhancement of the Dental Unit with 32 dental chairs and experienced personnel.
All applications must be submitted electronically via the Makerere University Electronic Human Resource Management System through the above link (ehrms). Applicants will be required to provide the necessary information on the ehrms and attach the following documents:
An application letter clearly stating the job applied for and duly signed by the applicant.
An up-to-date curriculum vitae. The curriculum must also state the names and addresses of at least three referees.
Copies of academic certificates and transcripts.
A minimum of three recommendation letters duly signed by the referees.
The application should be addressed to:
The Chief Human Resource Officer Makerere University P.O. Box 7062 Kampala