The Health Manpower Development Centre (HMDC) in Uganda was established in 1982 as a National In-service Training Centre with the mandate to develop in-service training programs for health workers’ continuous professional development. From its inception until 2005, HMDC significantly contributed to the continued professional development of health workers, with support from development partners such as AMREF, CIDA, and DANIDA.
However, the vibrant in-service training programs came to a standstill following the end of project support. As a result, several trainings have been conducted outside of the institute. Currently, HMDC operates as a training institute under Uganda’s Ministry of Health, providing in-service training and continuous professional development for health workers.
The Health Manpower Development Centre (HMDC) in Uganda is a key institution dedicated to enhancing the skills and competencies of health professionals across the country. Located in Mbale, HMDC plays a pivotal role in the continuous professional development of healthcare workers, focusing on leadership, management, and technical skills necessary for effective healthcare delivery.
One of the significant initiatives associated with HMDC was the Institutional Capacity Building project in planning, leadership, and management in the Uganda health sector, Phase II (ICB II). This project, which commenced as a follow-up to the initial ICB project, aimed to strengthen the planning, leadership, and management capacities of public health staff, particularly at decentralized local government levels. HMDC was instrumental in this endeavor, providing training and support to health professionals to improve service delivery and health outcomes in Uganda.
Through such initiatives, HMDC contributes significantly to addressing the challenges of human resources in Uganda’s health sector, ensuring that health professionals are well-equipped to meet the evolving needs of the population.
Its main goal is to enhance the planning, leadership, and management capacities of health staff, particularly at the decentralized local government level. This aligns with broader efforts to improve the delivery of integrated healthcare services in Uganda.