Meeting the Ministry of Health

Wow, where do I begin? The day couldn't have gone any better. It was surreal.

We arrived at the Ministry of Health in Kampala and met with our dear friend and TGF family member, Patrick. Like any national government office we had to pass through a guarded gate, through metal detectors, and passed armed guards in the hall (carrying rifles) We first met with the Senior Health Planner for Uganda, who prepped us a bit on protocol We were joined by the president of the National Nurse and Midwives Union, and the Commissioner of Nursing.

Meg gave a presentation summarizing the two years of research The Gretta Foundation has compiled. We then set a vision for the future of Ugandan health; a future that could only flourish with more nurses, trained in country, and retained in Uganda. The Minister listened attentively, asked probing questions which Meg deftly fielded.

Hearing about our conference on Thursday with the major stakeholders in Ugandan health, the Minister reviewed our list and asked if there were any that were not attending. Upon hearing that a few were not, he asked that the message be conveyed that the Minister requested their attendance at our conference. The Minister than asked the Senior Health Adviser to coordinate efforts with TGF in submitting a proposal to a major health donor. The Minister was also happy to help facilitate a meeting with a major government agency operating in Uganda.

Meg facilitated a wonderful presentation which was later confirmed by all in attendance. The Minister concluded with the statement "Anything we can do to keep you here, we will do". We took pictures then walked out in a daze. Two years of research and hard work had been validated by the Minister of Health who embraced the vision of The Gretta Foundation.

What more can I say. A good day's work!