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Uganda National Institute of Public Health: Establishment and Experiences, 2013–2021

Authors :
Alex Riolexus Ario
Issa Makumbi
Daniel Kadobera
Lilian Bulage
Felix Ocom
Benon Kwesiga
Dennis F. Jarvis
Sandra Nabatanzi
Jaco Homsy
Flora Banage
Vance Brown
Julie R. Harris
Amy L. Boore
Lisa J. Nelson
Sue Binder
Henry G. Mwebesa
Jane R. Aceng
Source :
Global Health: Science and Practice. 10:e2100784
Publication Year :
2022
Publisher :
Johns Hopkins School Bloomberg School of Public Health, Center for Communication Programs, 2022.

Abstract

Uganda is an ecological hot spot with porous borders that lies in several infectious disease transmission belts, making it prone to disease outbreaks. To prepare and respond to these public health threats and emergencies in a coordinated manner, Uganda established the Uganda National Institute of Public Health (UNIPH) in 2013.Using a step-by-step process, Uganda's Ministry of Health (MOH) crafted a strategy with a vision, mission, goal, and strategic objectives, and identified value additions and key enablers for success. A regulatory impact assessment was then conducted to inform the drafting of principles of the bill for legislation on the Institute.Despite not yet attaining legal status, the UNIPH has already achieved faster, smarter, and more efficient and effective prevention, detection, and response to public health emergencies. Successes include a more coordinated multisectoral, disciplined, and organized response to emergencies; appropriate, timely, and complete information receipt and sharing; a functional national lab sample and results transportation network that has enabled detection and confirmation of public health events within 48 hours of alert; appropriate response to a confirmed public health event in 24-48 hours; and real-time surveillance of endemic- and epidemic-prone diseases.In this article, we document success stories, lessons learned, and challenges encountered during the unique staged process used to develop the components of the UNIPH. The creation of an integrated disease control center has proven to yield better collaboration and synergies between different arms of epidemic preparedness and response.

Details

ISSN :
2169575X
Volume :
10
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Global Health: Science and Practice
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....1777f4cd8580921bb55fe874ceac461e
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.9745/ghsp-d-21-00784