Health 24 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Uganda's Health Ministry Launches Soft Skills Training to Boost Patient Care
Uganda's Ministry of Health is introducing soft skills training for health workers and students to tackle complaints about poor attitudes and lack of empathy. The initiative, highlighted at a national conference in Kampala, seeks to foster humane treatment alongside technical expertise. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/soft-skills-training-set-to-reshape-uganda-s-health-sector-5435276
The Ugandan government plans to implement soft skills training for current health professionals and those in training, aiming to improve patient experiences amid frequent complaints about staff behavior.
At the Second National Conference on Soft Skills and Self-Care in Kampala, Dr. Joseph Okware, Director of Health Services, Governance and Regulation at the Ministry of Health, emphasized the need for health workers to be not just technically skilled but also compassionate. He pointed out that while patients often recover medically, negative interactions with staff undermine their overall experience.
‘We want health workers to come out soft, not hard, and transform attitudes within the profession,’ Okware stated. The ministry will partner with professional councils to include soft skills in Continuous Professional Development and collaborate with training institutions to integrate them into pre-service curricula.
The event, organized by the Little Winnie Foundation in partnership with the Ministry of Health, drew over 200 health workers under the theme ‘Soft Skills at the Heart of Quality Care.’ CEO Winnie Nabukeera highlighted ongoing patient feedback on rudeness, poor communication, and lack of compassion, despite extensive technical training.
Nabukeera also advocated for better recruitment, pay, and support systems while promoting self-care and stress management for workers. Deputy Registrar of the Uganda Nurses and Midwives Council, Stella Kisolo Abigail, noted that soft skills exist but are often hindered by heavy workloads and tough working conditions, especially among frontline nurses and midwives.
These reforms are set to enhance patient-centered care by blending clinical skills with empathy, communication, and professionalism throughout Uganda’s health sector.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)