Written by Joseph Odoi
Over the past 2 years, Makerere University’s SPICES Project has been conducting 8-day modular training on CVD prevention to the health facilities and communities in the districts of Mukono and Buikwe in Uganda. The week-long series of training and community interventions aim to address Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD) risk factors.
CVD risk factors include conditions like diabetes and hypertension and lifestyle factors such as tobacco smoking, not exercising, excessive alcohol consumption and poor diet. If not controlled, these conditions can lead to heart attack, chest pain or stroke, among others.
As part of the program, SPICES successfully completed an 8-day training in Kasawo Health Centre III .The training began on the 5th September through 12th September, 2020.
Twenty seven (27) participants including health workers (15) and student on placement were imparted with the knowledge and skills on CVD prevention to ably prevent, control and manage cardiovascular diseases in their communities
Some of the other topics tackled during the trainings included; Introduction to Non-communicable diseases, communication skills, diabetes education, physical fitness and cardiovascular prevention among others
At the training, Ms. Edith Mukantwari, a diabetic advocate and Executive Director Africa Diabetes Alliance tipped participants with valuable knowledge on diabetic patient empowerment, a healthy plate & healthy eating and the need to address the mental health concerns during care and management of diabetic patients. She further urged the trainees to also embrace good feeding practices for the good of their own health.
Participants expressed delight following the 8-day training. Naluzze Stella, a student on placement from Mengo School of Nursing and Midwife who was part of the training branded the training as very helpful and breath taking. In her own words;
‘’we have learnt about NCDs, the risk factors, complications and management, A healthy plate for both diabetic and non-diabetic, portion sizes today…” “We also learnt about the importance of the need for patients to adhere to treatment … and the most important thing is getting a person to remind or empower them about it ’’she added
Namusoke Margaret a health worker from Kasawo Health Centre III said she learnt that NCDs can be managed by both medicines and lifestyles.
To crown off the training, MakSPH’s Dr.Geofrey Musinguzi, also the Principal Investigator SPICES project donated medical equipment to Kasawo Health Centre III. He noted that the equipment is to be used at the outpatient department for purposes of capturing data and screening patients for Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD) risk factors.
The equipment donated to the health facility included a desktop computer to enhance data capture and screening for CVD risk factors, blood glucose meters, a mechanical weighing scale with a height measuring rod, packs of glucometer strips, waist and hip circumference measuring tape, aprons and blood pressure devices.
Also as part of fighting Covid-19 pandemic, the health center also received a temperature monitoring gun that can quickly measure and display a temperature reading in order to detect covid-19 infection fever symptom and face masks. Dr Musinguzi urged participants to adhere to covid-19 prevention guidelines, ensure appropriate use of masks, physical distancing and hand hygiene etiquette. He noted that patients with hypertension and diabetes have a high risk of dying from covid-19.
Handing over the equipment, the SPICES Project Principal Investigator, Dr. Geofrey Musinguzi who is also the SPICES Project International Project Manager said that health facilities present a missed opportunity for early detection of CVD risk factors and aversion of complications. He noted that screening services at primary healthcare facilities increase detection and awareness which is a precursor for prevention and management of CVDs.
Upon receiving the equipment, the acting In-charge, Kasawo Health Centre III, Mr. Kisiriko Sylvester, extended gratitude to SPICES project, the trainers and appreciated the initiative that has equipped Kasawo HCIII with necessary knowledge and skills to screen but also manage patients with NCDs. On behalf of the facility, he appreciated Makerere University School of Public Health Spices Project for the support and training conducted.
In the same spirit, the Assistant District Health Officer (DHO), representing the DHO,Mukono thanked the SPICES Project, European Union, and the Ministry of Health for choosing to partner with Kasawo and other health centres in Mukono adding that the training and donations will assist improve care for patients and help in capturing data for CVD related cases at the facilities.
She further reminded the health workers to make use of the equipment in scanning for Cardiovascular Diseases and Non-Communicable Diseases.
ABOUT SPICES PROJECT
SPICES is an implementation science project funded by the European Commission through Horizon2020 research and innovation action. SPICES officially started on the 1st January 2017 and will run till December 2021. The SPICES Consortium comprises of ( 6) Universities; Makerere University, University of Antwerp, Nottingham Trent University, Manchester University, Brest University, and Limpopo University. The project aim is to implement and evaluate a comprehensive CVD prevention program in five settings: a rural and semi-urban community in a low-income country (Uganda), middle income (South Africa) and vulnerable groups in three high-income countries (Belgium, France and the United Kingdom).
SPICES in Uganda is implemented by Makerere University School of Public Health in partnership with the Ministry of Health and the local Health departments of Mukono and Buikwe districts.
To learn more about the SPICES project activities, visit: http://spicesug.musph.ac.ug
