Digital Health master's programme director Doris Kaljuste explained that while Estonia is in the top of the world with its digital health solutions and TalTech has extensive experience teaching digital health at the master's level, she sees this as a learning project as well. "Uganda is moving forward at a good pace and in many ways we are at the same starting position," Kaljuste added.

She cited an example from a visit to the Kisenyi Health Center in Kampala: "They were using a mobile X-ray device that analyzes patient X-ray images using artificial intelligence – and this is already in everyday clinical practice. The device was provided to the health center by Uganda's Ministry of Health, which illustrates the country's support for healthcare innovation."

Kaljuste pointed out that the adoption of artificial intelligence also affects teaching: "We need to change our teaching methods: how to make the best use of artificial intelligence, rather than simply telling students 'don't use AI'. In this regard, we have the same starting point and both Ugandan and Estonian lecturers can learn together."

TalTech e-health professor Dr. Peeter Ross noted that the project's support so far acts as external validation, demonstrating the high value of the Digital Health master's program.

Makerere University School of Public Health health informatics master's programme coordinator Irene Wanyana added: "The health informatics master's program has been taught since 2016, and we are proud of its contribution to advancing digital health in Uganda."

Irene noted similarities identified between the two curricula during the project, as well as unique areas where they can learn from each other – particularly regarding job creation and promoting innovation among students. " Through this collaboration, we see the key role of partnerships in advancing digital health education in a fast-moving technological environment," Wanyana confirmed.

The Importance of International Cooperation

The project's opening event consisted of an opening seminar followed by workshops and visits, attended by TalTech representatives, colleagues from Makerere University, and The Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV). The opening included a representative delegation comprising project partners, funders, other universities, and government representatives from Estonia and Uganda.

Opening remarks were given by Professor Nazarius M. Tumwesigye and Dean Rhoda Wanyenze from Makerere University's School of Public Health. This was followed by presentations from Professor Dr. Peeter Ross, Klen Jäärats (ESTDEV), and Estonia's Honorary Consul to Uganda, Girisch M. Nair. All speakers emphasized the importance of international cooperation and partnership. This was followed by a presentation from Makerere University School of Public Health collaboration specialist Brenda Wagaba, focusing on collaboration frameworks between different partners.

At the seminar, Professor Peeter Ross provided an overview of Estonia's healthcare system and its digitalization phases, followed by Uganda Ministry of Health representative Jamiru Mpiima's presentation on Uganda's experience.

Participating partners provided detailed introductions to their master's programmes and discussed the project's next steps. Professor Tumwesigye concluded the event with a summary speech, emphasizing common goals and broad opportunities for collaboration between the two universities in the digital health field.

Next Steps

In the following days, the TalTech team had many meetings with the local project partners – coordinators and lecturers from the MHI, as well as with The Monitoring and Evaluation Technical Support (METS) Program from MakSPH. They also visited Kisenyi Health Center, where patient data was still kept on paper just a year ago. As part of the week, Honorary Consul Girisch M. Nair hosted a ceremonial reception to welcome ESTDEV Executive Director Klen Jäärats and all partners contributing to Uganda projects.

The project's next steps include continuing the evaluation of both master's programmes and mapping opportunities for curriculum development. Awareness of digital health will also be increased through various informational events. Next month, TalTech will host a delegation from Makerere University's School of Public Health to move forward with the project and discuss future collaboration opportunities. The delegation will participate in the Digital Health’s curriculum hackathon, and MHI coordinator Irene Wanyana will give a guest lecture.

Project Background

The project strongly illustrates the value of an international alumni community. The project was initiated by Digital Health program alumnus and TalTech doctoral student Michael Anywar, who came to study at TalTech in 2016. Anywar completed his bachelor's degree in information systems design at Makerere University. Since there were no suitable digital health technology programmes in Uganda at the time, he came to Estonia to study. Later, while working at Schleswig-Holstein University Hospital, he maintained close ties with both Uganda and Estonia. Thanks to his experience in both countries, Anywar is well aware of the needs for developing e-health education in Uganda and the opportunities for cooperation between Estonia and Uganda.

The collaboration project "Bridging the Digital Health Gap: Strengthening Digital Health and Informatics Training in Uganda" between Estonian and Ugandan universities is implemented by two master's programmes – TalTech's Digital Health programme and Makerere University School of Public Health's Masters in Health Informatics (MHI).

The project is supported by the Estonian Centre for International Development Cooperation (ESTDEV), which aims to enhance  the digitalization of the education system and the development of innovation and entrepreneurship in Uganda.