KAMPALA. Well-known Ugandan medical doctor Diana Atwine has for the very first time since being appointed Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health opened up about her faith in God and family.
This was during the 4th Annual Watoto Church 2018 Market Place Convention which aims to address needs of its members in the primary areas of the marketplace, career and finances.
Dr Diana told congregants she has found contentment in having a relationship with God, “who answers prayer.”
Dr Atwine worked for a brief period at St. Francis Hospital Nsambya, before she joined the Uganda Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC). From there she went to the State House of Uganda, where she was given the title of the President’s Private Secretary in Charge of Medical Affairs.
In that capacity, she served as one of President Museveni’s personal physicians. In 2009, she was tasked to head what was officially known as the Medicine and Health Services Delivery Monitoring Unit, specifically tasked to investigate corruption in Uganda’s Ministry of Health.
In August 2010, she revealed nearly 300 ghost workers on the payroll of Mulago National Referral Hospital. In a reshuffle of permanent secretaries cabinet-wide, she was appointed to her current position.
“A relationship with God, knowing that you can call on God as Father and you know He answers is enough for my life,” the 45 year old said.
The Doctor urged that the more Christians sacrifice for God’s glory, “the more success He’ll give you.” She challenged the listeners to purpose to achieve something everyday.
“We are the salt of the world. We are called to preserve the world. The most important thing is to know your purpose,” he said, adding that leaders must walk the talk, “they must be able to sacrifice,” she stressed.
“Lies lead to more lies. When you tell the truth, people start to trust and respect you, when you tell the truth, people mark you by your word in honesty no matter the situation. When you start shifting goals, what’s “bad” becomes “fair.” Lead a life of no compromise. I stand for the truth, no matter what, and that has set me free,” Dr. Diana said.
She urged that prayer isn’t the many hours one keeps talking to God, but the communication one has with Him. She also said God can never give believers a tasks without them the grace for execute them.
On family, the Doctor said even when busy, Christians should account to those in their life.
“Accountability helps build their trust in you – As a wife, when I am staying late at office, I call [my husband] to tell him; I have been delayed,” she said. “Every single day, there’s always a tendency to settle for less. Ugandans love short cuts. But we need to inculcate a culture of principles! We shall go nowhere with indiscipline and short cuts.”
“My phone never goes off but in church it goes off because am in the presence of God whose hand has made everything including me,” Dr. Diana added.
The Market place Convention will end today with a business breakfast meeting at Kampala Serena Hotel.
By Paul W Dennis.
