Charles Ariko
5 July 2009
Kampala — THE Vice-President, Prof. Gilbert Bukenya, has commended a local NGO for providing health services to Ugandans.
Bukenya said at the launch of the Programme for Accessible Health, Communication and Education (PACE) in Kampala on Thursday that the NGO had improved the well-being of many Ugandans.
In a speech read by the state minister for primary education, Kamanda Bataringaya, the VP said the NGO had improved maternal and child health care, malaria treatment, provision of clean and safe water and sanitation.
"People living with HIV/AIDS have found a new meaning for their lives because of your support," Bukenya noted.
Previously known as Population Services International (PSI), the NGO took up the name PACE on April 1, after registering as a local NGO.
Bukenya said over the past two decades, the NRM government had invested a lot in the health sector.
"Good health is the foundation for all social, economic and technological development. People engaged in the industry of health provision should be lauded as heroes," Bukenya stated .
He noted that PACE was reaching out to populations in the rural areas.
Bukenya said the role of the private sector in addressing health challenges was a vital innovation.
He said PACE had marketed health services and led to the birth of other health marketing organisations.
PACE executive director, Dr. Susan Mpanga, said the transition from PSI to PACE would not affect service delivery.
"We are going to focus on doubling our work by 2012. We will not get tired until we achieve our goals such as having all pregnant mothers deliver safely," Mpanga said.
The ceremony was graced by the Buganda queen, Sylvia Nagginda, who is also a PACE board member.
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