Uganda will host the 36th Federation of Islamic Medical Associations (FIMA) Council meeting and scientific conference from 21st to 28th July 2019.
The US founded Federation currently has Islamic medical associates from 41 countries.
The theme of the Kampala conference will be “Inter – religious cooperation to address current HIV/AIDS and addiction issues”
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Health, the purpose of the meeting is to bring together religious leaders, NGO leaders, Government leaders and leaders in the academic and science together as a think tank to share experiences.
Some of the objectives of the conference are to articulate, analyze and reach a consensus position on the concept of inter-religious cooperation and how it can be transformed from theory to practice in addressing current HIV//AIDS.
The conference also intends to develop basic strategic and action plans to address current HIV/AIDS and addictions issues using inter-religious cooperation to reach communities and families.
The announcement that Uganda would be the host of the 36th conference was made in Istanbul Turkey last month.
Hon Sarah Opendi the Minister of State for Health welcomed the decision by FIMA and termed it as a great opportunity for Uganda.
She also expressed concern that Africa bears 24 percent of the world disease burden with the communicable and non-communicable diseases affecting the population yet 75 percent of this burden can actually be prevented.
“It’s time for Africa and our governments to invest more on prevention of these diseases at household and community levels than investing in the curative methods,” she said.
“There is need also for our Governments to strengthen the health systems. We have borders but diseases have no borders an outbreak can easily spread.”