President Museveni Opens Habib Medical School...At Kampala Campus Of IUIU
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on February 10 officially opened the IUIU Habib Medical School at IUIU Kampala campus. He is optimistic that the facility is going to help government in solving the challenge of enough doctors and other health workers in delivering health services to the country.
In a speech presented for him by Hon. Asuman Kiyingi, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in Charge of Regional Cooperation, President Museveni welcomed IUIU's plans of investing more in the Science and Technology programs, saying they are vital for national development.
He thanked the Organization of Islamic Cooperation for the support rendered to IUIU to start the Medical School and other programs. He commended the Rector, Dr Ahmad Kawesa Sengendo for spearheading the development of IUIU to the current level. He said the Government is happy with the quality of graduates from IUIU and urged for consolidation of the high academic standards and discipline of students. The President noted that the developments in IUIU are in line with the government's policy of prioritising education as a key driver of social economic development.
While recognizing support from IUIU's international partners like the Habib Family of Jeddah, the University of Lahore of Pakistan, Doctors Worldwide of Turkey and the Nigerian Federal Government, President Museveni called for more support to the University's Science and Technology and Vocational Education plans. The Habib Family was represented by Professor Dr Hamed Habib, the Dean of the Medical College of King Abdallaziz University in Saudi Arabia.
H.E Ambassador Mohammed Naeem Khan, the OIC Assistant Secretary (Science and technology) thanked the Government for the enabling environment that makes it easy for organizations like OIC to implement social development programs in Uganda. He promised OIC's continued support to IUIU especially in the area of Science and Technology as it's a key area of concern of OIC's programs.
Ambassador Khan expressed hope that with the opening of the Medical Training Facility, IUIU will become a center of excellence in Uganda and within the region. The school opened its doors to pioneer students on 27th October with 55 students.
The IUIU Rector, Dr Ahmad Sengendo paid tribute to all organizations and groups of individuals who have helped IUIU firmly embark on its original plan of being a typical science education university. He also thanked all those who have been supporting the University and the IUIU Habib Medical School such as OIC, ISF, IDB, the University of Lahore, Doctors Worldwide of Turkey, and other organizations and institutions.
Dr Sengendo enumerated new immediate plans in the medical programmes to include pharmacy, dentistry and physiotherapy. The event was preceded by free medical surgical camps at Kibuli and Gombe Muslim Hospitals, in which 125 hernia patients received free operations and drugs. The exercise was conducted by 11 staff of Doctors Worldwide of Turkey, with collaboration of IUIU staff of Habib Medical School, Kibuli Muslim Hospital and Gombe Hospital.