Brigadier General Felix Kulayigye, the Spokesperson for the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), has hinted at how geopolitics can affect the healthcare system and urged medical professionals to recognize how global dynamics can significantly impact their work and the health of communities across Uganda and beyond.
Brig Gen Kulayigye was on August 22, 2024, addressing over 200 post-medical practitioners who are undergoing a course in patriotism, development, and leadership at the National Leadership Institute (NALI) in Kyankwanzi.
His thought-provoking session emphasized the critical intersection of geopolitics and healthcare, urging medical professionals to recognize how global dynamics can significantly impact their work and the health of communities in Uganda and beyond.
“Understanding geopolitics is not merely an academic exercise but a vital aspect of healthcare delivery. As health caregivers, it is essential to be aware that geopolitical factors—such as political instability, military conflicts, and terrorist threats—can directly affect your ability to provide care,” Brig Gen Kulayigye said.
The UPDF Spokesperson pointed to the ongoing conflicts in neighboring South Sudan as a stark example, which he said doesn’t only affect the country in question but Uganda as well.
“The unrest has ripple effects that disrupt the economy and peace in Uganda, ultimately hindering health services,” Brig Gen Kulayigye added.
He further noted that the ongoing political instability in the East African region poses severe challenges to development across various sectors, including healthcare.
Brig Gen Kulayigye posed a question to the audience, asking how many of them would choose to work in Gaza, where hospitals and health systems have been devastated by war. He noted that this stark imagery served to illustrate the harsh realities faced by healthcare workers in conflict zones.
He added that there are concerns about the influence of Western powers on African countries, saying that while they may appear to support health initiatives, their underlying motives often include population control measures.
“Programs that receive significant funding, such as family planning, may have intentions that do not align with the best interests of our populations,” he cautioned.
He encouraged the practitioners to interest themselves with these issues, advocating for a more comprehensive understanding of how global events shape local realities.
The attendees were left with a renewed sense of responsibility to not only provide care but also to advocate for policies that prioritize the health and well-being of their communities in the face of geopolitical challenges.
