Ugandan doctor Nangiro wins global health award

KIGALI - Dr Loyce Faith Nangiro of Amudat Hospital, a Ugandan medical doctor renowned for her efforts in improving maternal, activism against child marriage and female genital mutilation and child health in the Karamojong communities, has been awarded the prestigious Global Health Award.

The Africa Health Agenda International Conference (AHAIC) 2025 Women in Global Health Award recognises Africa's most inspiring changemakers who are catalysing progress and shaping a future where responsive, people-centred health solutions drive development.

“Our first honour broke many, many barriers. She is a girl-child advocate and an activist against child marriage and female genital mutilation. Her inspiring journey is that of being the first female doctor in Karamoja, one of the most remote regions in Uganda.

She was destined to be a wife and mother of many children, but she refused and registered herself in school. She has become a doctor in Uganda. She has dedicated her career to treating visceral diseases and advocates for the education of young girls in her community. So, her story is one of courage, resilience, and deep commitment to healthcare in Africa," reads the salutations presented at the ceremony, held in Kigali, Rwanda, on Wednesday 5th March.

The gathering attracted leading global health professionals and stakeholders from around the world, including over 60 from Uganda, to celebrate outstanding contributions to global healthcare.

Dr Nangiro, whose work has transformed maternal healthcare in Karamoja, Uganda’s most marginalised region, was honoured for her innovative approach to community-based healthcare and for leading by example in a community where girls are often married off at the early age of 13.

Dr Loyce Faith Nangiro receiving her 2025 Women in Global Health Award. (Credit: John Musenze)

“As the world continues to say we shall not wait for K’jongs to develop, as many parents continue to sell off their daughters into marriage for wealth, and as many of our children become street kids in Kampala, I want to be an example. I wanted to show K’jong parents that even girls can,” Dr Nangiro told New Vision shortly after winning the award.

Because she was determined to serve her community, Dr Nangiro requested to be transferred from Mbale Hospital, where she had been posted to work, to Amudat Hospital, a community where she grew up seeing only male doctors.

“I was posted at Mbale Hospital; everything was there, but it was not my calling. I grew up seeing only two male doctors, so I told my family that I wanted to be a doctor. This was like a joke because they had never seen a female doctor before,” she said.

That was the beginning of the successful journey of Karamoja’s first female doctor.

“I have used my position as a health worker to speak to the less privileged, especially girls, to defy early marriages and stay in school, especially with free government education, which I used. I even go on the radio, and speak to parents, but most importantly, I don’t intend to leave my community. I want to serve, inspire, and lead them,” she added.

Dr Nangiro becomes the first Ugandan to win the Women in Global Health Award after beating 125 healthcare providers across Africa. She says this award is for her community and all the young girls she speaks to every day.

“I want the parents to see the value of educating a girl-child. When I came back and saw all these young girls having babies – I was operating on some of them – I knew I needed to do something. I go to the schools, talk to the young girls and encourage them to study. Sometimes, I receive support from friends who give me sanitary pads and other school items that I take to the girls.”

"On behalf of Amref Health Africa in Uganda, I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to Dr Faith Nangiro on her well-deserved recognition as a Women in Global Health Award winner,” Dr Patrick Kagurusi, the Amref country director and the head of the Ugandan delegation at AHAIC 2025, told New Vision.

Dr Nangiro's tireless efforts to improve healthcare outcomes in Africa are truly inspiring, and we are honoured to celebrate her remarkable work. Her dedication, perseverance, and passion for healthcare are a testament to the power of individuals to drive positive change.

Kagurusi said celebrating heroes like Dr Nangiro is crucial to promoting a culture of excellence and innovation in healthcare. “Through our partnership with AHAIC, we aim to highlight the outstanding contributions of health champions like Dr Nangiro, who embody the values of compassion, equity, and quality that underpin our work.

(AHAIC) 2025 Women in Global Health Award. (Credit: John Musenze)

He said by celebrating health champions, we hope to inspire others to follow in their footsteps, drive progress towards achieving universal health coverage, and ultimately improve the health and well-being of communities across Africa.

The award comes a day before World Women’s Day which is an inspiration to many girls and female heath workers.

WHO Africa Regional Director Commends Uganda’s Approach to Outbreaks

Speaking to journalists on 2nd March 2025 at the official opening press conference of AHAIC 2025, Dr Chikwe Andreas Ihekweazu, the Acting Regional Director of the WHO Regional Office for Africa, applauded Uganda’s efforts towards self-sustainability, particularly in handling health threats and outbreaks such as the ongoing Ebola and mpox crises.

“Uganda has one of the most developed medical researchers, medical training, and facilities on the continent. We are all proud of Makerere University and the expertise it has developed, especially in this generation within HIV/AIDS,” he said.

“The response to these outbreaks, like Ebola, shows how resilient locally grown experts and scientists can drive a way forward,” he added.

Dr Chikwe highlighted the impact of shrinking foreign aid, urging African governments to invest more in disease prevention rather than treatment.

AHAIC 2025 comes at a time when Africa is facing unique challenges, including the rise in non-communicable diseases, geopolitical shifts, and a high burden of infectious diseases such as Marburg, Ebola, and mpox.

Dr Chikwe reaffirmed WHO’s dedication to partnering with African governments to bridge funding gaps, particularly in areas previously supported by international donors such as USAID.

"Identifying funding shortfalls and collaborating with governments to develop sustainable solutions is crucial. The focus must shift towards self-sustained strategies while remaining open to strategic partnerships," he emphasised.