International Programmes:
Strengthening Health Systems for Lasting Impact
Mildmay partners with local organisations in East Africa to expand access to quality, integrated and inclusive care, and to support locally led solutions for sustainable change.
Improving Health, Strengthening Systems
and Saving Lives
Uganda and other East African countries face persistent challenges in delivering equitable, high-quality healthcare, despite progress in disease control and service delivery.
In Uganda, HIV prevalence remains significant:
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approximately 5.1% of adults aged 15 - 49 living with HIV
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about 1.4 million people are living with HIV in Uganda (2024/2025)
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and prevention gaps persist among vulnerable groups such as adolescents and rural communities.
Rapidly increasing non-communicable disease prevalence, aging populations, and limited access to specialist and palliative care services add further strain to already stretched health systems. For example, an estimated 500,000 Ugandans require palliative care, yet ony 11% receive it.
Health systems also need stronger diagnostic and referral capacities to prevent avoidable morbidity and mortality from treatable conditions.
Our programmes are designed to respond to today’s realities by partnering with communities, hospitals, government and NGOs to strengthen essential services, particularly where access is limited by geography, poverty, or disability.
Our response is to collaborate with local leaders and health systems to deliver integrated specialist care across the entire care pathway: from prevention and diagnosis to treatment, rehabilitation, and compassionate palliative support.
An ambitious programme to expand access to essential care in underserved communities across Uganda.
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Comprehensive services: Maternity, newborn and child health, HIV and HIV‑related neurological care, non‑communicable diseases, disability‑inclusive rehabilitation, and palliative support.
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First centre: Rebuilding JOY Health Centre & Hospice (Mbale) into a 30+ bed, disability‑inclusive regional hub.
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Integrated model: Diagnostics, outpatient and inpatient care, community outreach, telemedicine, and referral pathways.
Family area, JOY Health Centre, Mbale
Innovation and Exchange
NHS GPs Dr. Helena Rochford and Dr. Amy Cleese piloting the Education Exchange Programme at Kumi Hospital.
Bridging the gap between the NHS and East Africa.
UK trainee GPs and clinicians undertake placements at Mildmay Uganda Hospital, sharing skills and bringing invaluable resource-limited clinical experience back to the UK health system.
Small, low-cost projects identified by Mildmay Uganda and frontline partners that can be rapidly designed, funded and delivered to address practical gaps in care.
These targeted initiatives allow us to test solutions, respond quickly to emerging needs, and deliver immediate, tangible benefits for patients, such as adherence tools and simple service improvements, while informing wider programme development.
My Pill Box
A youth-led initiative in Uganda’s Kassanda District providing children living with HIV with customised pill boxes and community education to improve medication adherence and reduce school-based stigma.
Ruth is one of over 2,300 girls whose lives have been transformed through the Orphans and Vunerable Children/Youth Initiative led by Mildmay Uganda Hospital.
Since 2002, more than 2,000 children and adolescents have received psychosocial services and economic support.
By moving to a Universal Fund model, we ensure that healthcare, education, and food security are delivered equitably to all young people in our care, regardless of individual sponsorship status.
Our focus is on strengthening health systems
Since 1998, Mildmay’s international work has evolved from direct service delivery to a model of Local Empowerment. We focus on systemic change rather than short-term fixes.
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Strengthening frontline Services
Practical support for inpatient, outpatient, outreach and telemedicine provision, tailored to local needs.
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Building capacity
Training, mentorship and professional exchange that equips local clinicians and health workers to deliver high-quality care independently.
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Championing inclusion
Disability-inclusive, gender-sensitive and youth-friendly care pathways that prioritise dignity and access.
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Sustainable partnerships
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Aligning with national health priorities and partners.
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Integrated care
Combining clinical, community and home-based programmes.
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Data-driven planning
Tracking outcomes and adjusting programmes for local needs.
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Mobilising support
Fundraising and partnerships that enable local programmes to grow, adapt and thrive over time.
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Advocacy and policy engagement
Working with ministries, civil society and communities to embed inclusive standards, strengthen equitable financing, and ensure patient voices shape health system reforms.
Mildmay International’s legacy is one of success. We have successfully transitioned major programmes in Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe to local government or NGO leadership. Today, Mildmay Uganda and Mildmay Kenya stand as independent, locally registered organisations, a testament to our commitment to ending donor dependency.
Mildmay Uganda was established in 1998 as Mildmay’s first international programme.
It opened in Kampala to provide comprehensive HIV care at a time when over 3,000 children were waiting for life-saving treatment through PEPFAR.
With the successful winding up of Mildmay International at the end of 2024-25, Mildmay Kenya became a fully independent NGO, operating under the capable leadership of its Board of Trustees.
In the 1990s, Mildmay was called to extend its expertise to some of the areas where HIV and AIDS were hitting hardest.
As many of our funded projects concluded, Mildmay handed over a legacy of work to governments or local NGOs, marking the successful conclusion of many of our international programmes.
Get Involved
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Donate: Help fund essential services and training across East Africa.
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Partner: Work with us to scale equitable, sustainable healthcare.
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Learn & exchange: Enquire about placements and professional exchanges.
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Stay informed: Sign up for updates on programme milestones and impact.
We raise funds in the UK for these and other projects.
Mildmay International previously led our overseas work until it was wound up at the end of 2024. As programmes matured and were successfully handed over to local NGOs, this work became part of Mildmay’s main charity, which continues that legacy today.