The Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uganda, Hon. Gen. Odongo Jeje Abubakhar, graciously received H.E. Mourad Amokrane, Ambassador-Designate of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria to Uganda, at the Ministry headquarters in Kampala. This meeting, marking H.E. Amokrane’s first official courtesy visit, served as a reaffirmation of the enduring and cordial relations between Uganda and Algeria.

Hon. Gen. Odongo extended a warm welcome to H.E. Amokrane, expressing his appreciation for the Ambassador’s arrival in Uganda and his commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations. H.E. Amokrane, in turn, conveyed his deep gratitude for the opportunity to serve in Uganda and thanked the Ugandan government for its hospitality and support.

Hon. Gen. Odongo underscored the longstanding and robust ties between Uganda and Algeria, which extend far beyond diplomatic engagements. He recalled the significant contribution of both nations to the African Union (AU) initiative seven years ago to establish a standby force. He highlighted that out of the 54 African nations, only Angola, South Africa, Uganda, and Algeria volunteered to support this vital initiative, with Algeria providing both troops and aircraft, a testament to Algeria’s unwavering commitment to African unity and security.

The Minister also emphasised the importance of African solidarity, particularly in the context of eradicating colonialism and ensuring that African nations do not dominate one another.

On the economic front, Hon. Gen. Odongo raised the issue of Ugandan milk exports to Algeria, a matter he had previously addressed during his visit to Algeria in June. He called for prompt resolution of any remaining obstacles to ensure smooth trade between the two nations.

Hon. Gen. Odongo further expressed his gratitude to the Government of Algeria for its generous scholarship opportunities extended to Ugandans. He recognised the significant impact these scholarships have had on the growth and development of Ugandan students and expressed hope that such opportunities would be extended to other African nations, fostering greater interaction and unity among Africans.

In his concluding remarks, Hon. Gen. Odongo once again welcomed H.E. Amokrane to Uganda, expressing his sincere gratitude for the Ambassador’s presence and his commitment to working collaboratively on various issues of mutual interest.

The meeting was a testament to the enduring friendship and cooperation between Uganda and Algeria, and both parties reiterated their commitment to further strengthening these ties in the future.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Republic of Uganda – Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uganda, Hon. Gen. Abubakher Jeje Odongo, met with the outgoing British High Commissioner to Uganda, H.E. Kate Airey, as she formally bid farewell following the completion of her distinguished three-year tenure. The meeting took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters in Kampala.

Hon. Gen. Odongo lauded H.E. Airey for her outstanding service and the significant contributions she made in strengthening the bilateral relations between Uganda and the United Kingdom. He commended her openness, her diplomatic acumen, and her forthrightness, which greatly enhanced the collaborative efforts between the two nations. While expressing regret at her departure, he conveyed his hope that her rich experiences and insights as a seasoned diplomat would continue to benefit Uganda in various capacities in the future.

In her remarks, H.E. Airey expressed her deep gratitude to Hon. Gen. Odongo for his unwavering support and the constructive partnership they shared throughout her tenure. She extended her appreciation to the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Vincent Bagiire, and the entire Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their professionalism and dedication to fostering strong bilateral relations.

H.E. Airey also reflected fondly on her time in Uganda, expressing that she would miss the vibrant culture, particularly its rich culinary traditions. She expressed her intention to stay connected with Uganda by engaging with Ugandan communities in London, a testament to the strong bond she has developed with the country.

During their discussions, Hon. Gen. Odongo and H.E. Airey exchanged views on regional issues, particularly concerning the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Somalia, and Ethiopia. H.E. Airey commended Uganda’s efforts, particularly through Operation Shuja, highlighting the operation’s focus on the welfare of the people and its role in building trust in the Great Lakes region. She encouraged Uganda to continue nurturing this trust, acknowledging its importance as a rare and invaluable asset in regional diplomacy.

Additionally, Hon. Gen. Odongo emphasised the deep cultural and linguistic ties between southeast Ethiopia and northeastern Uganda. He mentioned the upcoming gathering in Soroti, scheduled for November, where representatives from southeast Ethiopia, northeast Kenya, southwest Sudan, and northeastern Uganda will convene to address pastoral issues. He highlighted the shared language and heritage that unite these communities and the significance of such gatherings in strengthening regional cooperation.

In her concluding remarks, H.E. Airey expressed her profound satisfaction in having served in Uganda, assuring Hon. Gen. Odongo that their professional relationship has blossomed into a lasting friendship. She affirmed that he now has a steadfast ally beyond Uganda’s borders, always ready to offer support and collaboration.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Republic of Uganda – Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“Seven months ago, my wife gave birth to twin boys,” says Kalimow Mohamed Nur, a father whose twins are under treatment at the Bay Regional hospital in Somalia, supported by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in Baidoa, the capital city of Bay region. “She experienced excessive bleeding during delivery, but I had no money to take her to the hospital. Our village lacks a free health facility.”

“While caring for her at home, our two boys also fell ill,” he says. “I had to take a loan of about US$130 and travelled 300 kilometres from my village to Baidoa to seek free care.”

Kalimow’s wife survived the bleeding and after seven months he managed to bring his sons for treatment. But there are hundreds of women and children who still cannot seek medical care in Baidoa, Bay region, which is located in Somalia’s South West state. The persistent conflict in the region means a precarious situation for anyone in need of critical healthcare.

Women and children have to undertake arduous journeys of hundreds of kilometres to reach medical facilities. Pervasive insecurity along the way frequently obstructs their access, leading to critical delays that exacerbate health conditions and tragically, sometimes, cause death. Those who are able to afford it navigate the risks of getting caught in violence and pay a large amount of money for transport to reach the few fully functioning health facilities.

Barriers to accessing medical care
A significant portion of people in the Bay region and its surrounding areas live in poverty, which makes it difficult for them to afford healthcare services and transportation to reach secondary healthcare services. The cost of transportation, that can be up to $300, can be prohibitive. This forces people to delay or forgo essential medical care, including many women in their reproductive age, leading to high rates of illness and death from preventable diseases.

People in the region have been facing significant health and humanitarian challenges due to prolonged conflict, chronic instability, and climatic shocks that have led to severe droughts and flash floods. The crumbled healthcare system further exacerbates the situation, leaving women and children most vulnerable and depriving them of basic health services.

Cultural norms and traditional practices also play a substantial role in healthcare access. In many families, men make the healthcare decisions. Their consent is crucial to carry out any medical procedure and women often lack autonomy over their own health. This delay in decision-making can lead to late arrivals at medical facilities. 

Additionally, a general mistrust of modern medical practices coupled with health awareness rates hinder the adoption of preventive and curative healthcare measures.

“There has been a widespread belief that undergoing surgery would result in their children being exchanged with others, leading many to refuse hospital treatment,” says Habiba Mohamed Abdirahman, a traditional birth attendant in Baidoa. “Moreover, common misconceptions about blood donation include fears about health risks associated with donating blood, concerns about religious or cultural taboos, and misunderstandings about the medical process.”

The main causes of death for pregnant women are blood-pressure-related complications, haemorrhage, and sepsis. All these conditions can become deadly if not treated in a timely manner and late access to healthcare increases the chance of death for both mother and baby.

Concerns grows over maternal and child health
Most maternal and paediatric deaths stem from delays in seeking care: delays in deciding to seek safe delivery services, delays in reaching a health facility, and delays in receiving prompt and suitable care upon arrival at a facility. These challenges experienced by women in Bay and the surrounding region contribute to the maternal and child mortality rates. 

Somalia has one of the highest maternal mortality rates globally, with 621 deaths per 100,000 live births, and one of the highest child mortality rates, with approximately 137 deaths per 1,000 live births.

The healthcare infrastructure in the region is underdeveloped and suffers from a critical shortage of trained medical professionals. The few facilities that exist in Baidoa and at the periphery are often overwhelmed, particularly during emergencies and disease outbreaks. The region’s healthcare system struggles with limited resources, including human and financial resources, essential medications and medical supplies. 

Ongoing conflict further complicates the delivery of healthcare as it remains out of reach for the majority of people in conflict-affected and inaccessible areas.

Investment needed in the Bay region’s healthcare infrastructure
“The current state of maternal and child health in the Bay region calls for immediate attention,” says MSF’s head of programme in Somalia, Dr Pitchou K. “MSF calls upon national authorities and international organisations to invest more in strengthening the health system, both at basic and specialist levels, by allocating enough resources to improve access to healthcare for women and children in Bay region.”

“Maternal and neonatal deaths can be averted by making it possible for pregnant women to access antenatal care closer to their homes, reducing late referrals for complicated cases and increasing the number of women delivering in a health facility by raising awareness about available services,” they say. “At the same time, vaccination coverage and nutrition screening and support must be expanded. This is only possible through increased financial support, community engagement, and improved cold chain infrastructure.”

Since 2018, MSF has been supporting the Bay Regional hospital in Baidoa, providing a range of medical services to improve maternal and child health and respond to disease outbreaks. We provide comprehensive emergency obstetric and neonatal care, ensuring safe births and offering both inpatient and outpatient care for pregnant women and their newborns. The teams assist in approximately 200 deliveries each month. Additionally, MSF runs seven outreach sites near camps for people who are internally displaced, to provide basic healthcare and ensure timely referrals to specialist services. 

The challenges in accessing healthcare for women and children in Baidoa are multifaceted, involving security, economics, culture, as well as infrastructural barriers. While the efforts of MSF and other organisations have significantly improved healthcare access and outcomes, continuous support and enhancement of these programs are essential.

Strengthening the healthcare system, increasing health literacy, and addressing socio-economic barriers can pave the way for better health outcomes for the women and children of Baidoa. The continued support of the international community is essential to sustain, expand and decentralise health services

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Médecins sans frontières (MSF).

On 1 August 2024, H.E. Mr. Russ Jalichandra, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, had a meeting with H.E. Mr. Belmiro José Malate, Ambassador of the Republic of Mozambique to the Kingdom of Thailand with residence in Jakarta, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the occasion of his visit to Thailand to attend official functions in celebration of His Majesty the King’s 72nd Birthday Anniversary on 28 July 2024.

Both sides exchanged views on the current regional situations and discussed ways to enhance cooperation in various dimensions, including reciprocal support in the multilateral flora, cooperation on trade and Thailand’s substantial investment in Mozambique as well as development cooperation in line with Mozambique’s needs, particularly in agricultural sectors. In addition, the Thai side expressed its readiness to organise the first Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) between Thailand and Mozambique to further enhance bilateral ties.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand.