Institution History/Background

Uganda has emerged from twenty years of civil war and has now experienced stability for more than a decade. During the past sixteen years there has been the re-establishment of infrastructure and steady economic growth in the private sector.

With the government’s initiative in setting up UPE (Universal primary education) and the growth of secondary and tertiary education facilities, there is a huge increase in the number of young people available on the labour market. There is need to “spice up” the courses and professions that have been running for a long time – like nursing, health care and medical courses, so as to make them attractive and “sellable” to the young generation that is living in a very dynamic and exposed society. However, although Ugandans are intelligent and ready to learn, there are often gaps in their education. Very often, individuals are not given a chance to utilize their full potential in their professions.

In the health sector, Medical education has usually been conducted in the traditional manner, with an emphasis on theory and exams, with relatively little practical experience. Indeed, there is a genuine need to fill in the gaps in medical and health care education.

Uganda Health Management Institute - UHMI

UHMI is a brainchild of the International Medical Group. UHMI aims to fill the gaps in medical service provision and also respond to the needs and demands for capacity building and health management for the medical and non-medical personnel working in Health Management Organisations, Non Governmental Organisations, Clinics and Hospitals and other organisations that are involved in health service provision.

The Institute addresses the rapidly changing health care delivery system in Uganda. Training is provided through short-term specialized courses that are not offered in the formal school system. UHMI will equip individuals with the professional tools to make a difference in their working environment.

In Nursing, there is need to concentrate on the weakness that have been identified in the medical provision which include:

(a). Intensive care

(b). Consistency and competency in procedures

(c). Understanding modern methods of midwifery practice

(d). Use of computers and ICT in medical settings

(e). Management in Nursing

Rather than reinventing the wheel and carrying out another full time nursing courses similar to those already on offer within Uganda, these deficiencies can be addressed in a more direct manner using part time courses and short courses at the end of which a certificate is awarded.

The health sector in Uganda has gaps in medical and nursing training. UHMI’s main area of focus is in areas such as:

i. Evidence based medicine

ii. Health Management

iii. Medical Receptionist Training

iv. Paramedical Training

v. Intensive care nursing and many more

There is also a demand for training of private sector companies in areas related to Health and Lifestyle and this includes:

i. Health

ii. AIDS policies in the workplace

iii. First Aid Training

iv. Courses on healthy lifestyles

The Institute addresses the rapidly changing health care delivery system in Uganda. Training will be provided through short-term specialized courses that are not offered in the formal school system. UHMI will equip individuals with the professional tools to make a difference in their working environment.

UHMI aims to fill the gaps in medical service provision and also respond to the needs and demands for capacity building and health management for the medical and non-medical personnel working in Health Management Organisations, Non Governmental
Organisations, Clinics and Hospitals and other organisations that are involved in health service provision.

UHMI has formed links with outside academic institutions, so that their input can be received in terms of course content and development of curricula. UHMI will arrange with the affiliated institutions to send lecturers for short periods to teach on various courses.