During a pastoral visit, high-ranking Adventist leaders laid the foundation for a Shs3 billion maternal and child health complex project. They also inaugurated a girls’ hostel for the Ishaka School of Nursing and Midwifery.
The leader of an Adventist Church in Bushenyi district has emphasized the importance of placing more women in leadership positions to harness their potential for effecting positive change in communities.
Addressing a congregation at Ishaka Adventist Hospital on July 6, Pastor Dr. Blasious Ruguri, the leader of the East-Central Africa division, highlighted that African women should not be underestimated, as they possess the qualities needed for effective leadership.
Dr. Ruguri, who also serves as the president overseeing pastoral authority in Adventist Churches across eleven East and Central African countries, commended the enhanced performance of Ishaka Adventist Hospital. He attributed this improvement to the involvement of women in leadership roles, stating, “Many times here in Africa, we used to think that women were non-starters, but Lydia is a statement. Let men learn that women can do better in many things. Lydia is telling the world that we cannot afford to ignore women anymore.”
Reflecting on past perceptions, Dr. Ruguri noted, “In the past, we identified women only in the kitchen. We have seen women and known them for the things they do in their kitchens when they come to serve us food. We thought that was the only place we could think of them as important.”
He emphasized that Africans possess great potential but often lack the confidence to persevere in their tasks.
Dr. Moses Maka Ndimukika, the Head of the Adventist Church in Uganda, lauded the leadership at Ishaka for their efforts in delivering healthcare services to Greater Bushenyi and the surrounding communities. He expressed pride in the progress of Ishaka and its promising future.
Lydia Komugisha, the Executive Director of Ishaka Adventist Hospital, highlighted the challenge of limited space to accommodate the growing number of mothers and children seeking care.
During this pastoral visit, senior Adventist leaders not only initiated the construction of the Shs3 billion maternal and child health complex but also unveiled a girls’ hostel for the Ishaka School of Nursing and Midwifery, reinforcing their commitment to healthcare and education within the community.
