Globalization and Health (Mar 2020)

Uganda’s experience in Ebola virus disease outbreak preparedness, 2018–2019

  • Jane Ruth Aceng,
  • Alex R. Ario,
  • Allan N. Muruta,
  • Issa Makumbi,
  • Miriam Nanyunja,
  • Innocent Komakech,
  • Andrew N. Bakainaga,
  • Ambrose O. Talisuna,
  • Collins Mwesigye,
  • Allan M. Mpairwe,
  • Jayne B. Tusiime,
  • William Z. Lali,
  • Edson Katushabe,
  • Felix Ocom,
  • Mugagga Kaggwa,
  • Bodo Bongomin,
  • Hafisa Kasule,
  • Joseph N. Mwoga,
  • Benjamin Sensasi,
  • Edmund Mwebembezi,
  • Charles Katureebe,
  • Olive Sentumbwe,
  • Rita Nalwadda,
  • Paul Mbaka,
  • Bayo S. Fatunmbi,
  • Lydia Nakiire,
  • Mohammed Lamorde,
  • Richard Walwema,
  • Andrew Kambugu,
  • Judith Nanyondo,
  • Solome Okware,
  • Peter B. Ahabwe,
  • Immaculate Nabukenya,
  • Joshua Kayiwa,
  • Milton M. Wetaka,
  • Simon Kyazze,
  • Benon Kwesiga,
  • Daniel Kadobera,
  • Lilian Bulage,
  • Carol Nanziri,
  • Fred Monje,
  • Dativa M. Aliddeki,
  • Vivian Ntono,
  • Doreen Gonahasa,
  • Sandra Nabatanzi,
  • Godfrey Nsereko,
  • Anne Nakinsige,
  • Eldard Mabumba,
  • Bernard Lubwama,
  • Musa Sekamatte,
  • Michael Kibuule,
  • David Muwanguzi,
  • Jackson Amone,
  • George D. Upenytho,
  • Alfred Driwale,
  • Morries Seru,
  • Fred Sebisubi,
  • Harriet Akello,
  • Richard Kabanda,
  • David K. Mutengeki,
  • Tabley Bakyaita,
  • Vivian N. Serwanjja,
  • Richard Okwi,
  • Jude Okiria,
  • Emmanuel Ainebyoona,
  • Bernard T. Opar,
  • Derrick Mimbe,
  • Denis Kyabaggu,
  • Chrisostom Ayebazibwe,
  • Juliet Sentumbwe,
  • Moses Mwanja,
  • Deo B. Ndumu,
  • Josephine Bwogi,
  • Stephen Balinandi,
  • Luke Nyakarahuka,
  • Alex Tumusiime,
  • Jackson Kyondo,
  • Sophia Mulei,
  • Julius Lutwama,
  • Pontiano Kaleebu,
  • Atek Kagirita,
  • Susan Nabadda,
  • Peter Oumo,
  • Robinah Lukwago,
  • Julius Kasozi,
  • Oleh Masylukov,
  • Henry Bosa Kyobe,
  • Viorica Berdaga,
  • Miriam Lwanga,
  • Joe C. Opio,
  • David Matseketse,
  • James Eyul,
  • Martin O. Oteba,
  • Hasifa Bukirwa,
  • Nulu Bulya,
  • Ben Masiira,
  • Christine Kihembo,
  • Chima Ohuabunwo,
  • Simon N. Antara,
  • Wilberforce Owembabazi,
  • Paul B. Okot,
  • Josephine Okwera,
  • Isabelle Amoros,
  • Victoria Kajja,
  • Basnet S. Mukunda,
  • Isabel Sorela,
  • Gregory Adams,
  • Trevor Shoemaker,
  • John D. Klena,
  • Celine H. Taboy,
  • Sarah E. Ward,
  • Rebecca D. Merrill,
  • Rosalind J. Carter,
  • Julie R. Harris,
  • Flora Banage,
  • Thomas Nsibambi,
  • Joseph Ojwang,
  • Juliet N. Kasule,
  • Dan F. Stowell,
  • Vance R. Brown,
  • Bao-Ping Zhu,
  • Jaco Homsy,
  • Lisa J. Nelson,
  • Patrick K. Tusiime,
  • Charles Olaro,
  • Henry G. Mwebesa,
  • Yonas Tegegn Woldemariam

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12992-020-00548-5
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 16, no. 1
pp. 1 – 12

Abstract

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Abstract Background Since the declaration of the 10th Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in DRC on 1st Aug 2018, several neighboring countries have been developing and implementing preparedness efforts to prevent EVD cross-border transmission to enable timely detection, investigation, and response in the event of a confirmed EVD outbreak in the country. We describe Uganda’s experience in EVD preparedness. Results On 4 August 2018, the Uganda Ministry of Health (MoH) activated the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) and the National Task Force (NTF) for public health emergencies to plan, guide, and coordinate EVD preparedness in the country. The NTF selected an Incident Management Team (IMT), constituting a National Rapid Response Team (NRRT) that supported activation of the District Task Forces (DTFs) and District Rapid Response Teams (DRRTs) that jointly assessed levels of preparedness in 30 designated high-risk districts representing category 1 (20 districts) and category 2 (10 districts). The MoH, with technical guidance from the World Health Organisation (WHO), led EVD preparedness activities and worked together with other ministries and partner organisations to enhance community-based surveillance systems, develop and disseminate risk communication messages, engage communities, reinforce EVD screening and infection prevention measures at Points of Entry (PoEs) and in high-risk health facilities, construct and equip EVD isolation and treatment units, and establish coordination and procurement mechanisms. Conclusion As of 31 May 2019, there was no confirmed case of EVD as Uganda has continued to make significant and verifiable progress in EVD preparedness. There is a need to sustain these efforts, not only in EVD preparedness but also across the entire spectrum of a multi-hazard framework. These efforts strengthen country capacity and compel the country to avail resources for preparedness and management of incidents at the source while effectively cutting costs of using a “fire-fighting” approach during public health emergencies.

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