A group discussion among Village Health Team members during the training in Ssisa, Kajjansi Town Council.
In recent years, Uganda has experienced several epidemics that have affected the population and the health system. Some of the recent disease epidemics in Uganda include Ebola, Marburg, Rift Valley Fever, Measles, Cholera, Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever, Anthrax and Meningitis. In addition, the current COVID-19 pandemic has greatly affected Uganda, with 125,537 infections and 3,194 deaths by 20th October 2021. The second wave of the pandemic in Uganda has particularly been devasting, leading to widespread community transmission, increased hospital admissions, and high mortality among most age groups including those between 20 and 40 years.
In order to enhance the capacity of communities to prepare and respond to epidemics and pandemics, Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) in partnership with Nottingham Trent University (NTU), UK, Wakiso District Local Government, and the Ministry of Health, with support from the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) trained 766 community health workers (CHWs), locally known as Village Health Teams (VHTs), on epidemic and pandemic preparedness and response in Wakiso district. The VHTs trained included those from Busiro South Health Sub District (Bussi Sub County, Kasanje Town Council, Kajjansi Town Council, and Katabi Town Council), Entebbe Municipality, and Kyengera Town Council.
In order to ensure that all the Ministry of Health COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedures were observed, each VHT was provided with 2 masks that were worn at all times during the training. In addition, hand washing facilities, soap and alcohol-based sanitizers were provided to ensure regular proper hand washing and disinfection of surfaces. Temperature screening of VHTs was also done on arrival, and a sitting arrangement of at least 1 meter from all sides was emphasized to ensure social distancing during the training.
The main topics in the training were: introduction to epidemics and pandemics; community engagement; contact tracing; risk communication; frontline protection; as well as community awareness and sensitization. In addition, group discussions, sharing past experiences from common epidemics in Uganda, pre and post training assessment, and a certificate awarding ceremony were held.
The Wakiso District Health Officer, Dr. Mathias Lugoloobi while meeting VHTs in Kasanje Town Council encouraged them to continue serving their communities amidst the challenging circumstances in which they work. Mr. Adam Mbayi, Kajjansi Health Centre IV In-charge appreciated the VHTs for the great support offered to the health system in Busiro South Health District while officiating at the closing ceremony in Kajjansi. In Entebbe Municipality, the Medical Officer of Health Dr. John Kalyesubula, participated in the session on prevention of COVID-19 within communities. Ms. Bonny Natukunda, the Senior District Health Educator of Wakiso district, shared different COVID-19 experiences in Uganda, particularly in Wakiso district and also encouraged VHTs to help enforce preventive measures within their communities. Dr. David Musoke, the Uganda Project Lead from Makerere University School of Public Health emphasized to the VHTs that they had a significant role to play to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other pandemics / epidemics in their communities.
The VHTs greatly appreciated Makerere University, Nottingham Trent University, Wakiso District Local Government, the Ministry of Health, funders, and other partners for the training as it helped them gain knew knowledge especially regarding COVID-19 which was to be used in their day-to-day work in their communities.
“I have learnt about different diseases that can be epidemic, endemic or pandemic. For example, epidemics of anthrax, and COVID-19 pandemic among others. I now know how to prepare to engage with the community members during an epidemic. We thank Makerere University and partners for investing in us, and we pray that we continue to be supported because we need more trainings.” said Catherine Nangoma, VHT Kasokengo village, Bussi Sub County
Ruth Namusoke, a VHT from Nakawuka, Kajjansi Town Council said “I did not know much about epidemics in Uganda, but this training has opened my eyes to the role we have as VHTs in fighting such diseases in our communities.”
“I have got new skills on how to handle and prevent epidemic and pandemic diseases, so I am going to use this opportunity to sensitize my community how to prevent those diseases. I greatly appreciate the facilitators of the training who were very informative.” said Peter Wasswa, VHT Kasokengo village, Bussi Sub County.
Special appreciation goes to the Wakiso District Health Officer Dr. Mathias Lugoloobi, Senior District Health Educator Ms. Bonny Natukunda, WHO Risk Communication Specialist Ms. Grace Byarugaba, all facilitators from the health facilities, VHT Coordinators, community mobilisers, local leaders and other stakeholders for the support offered during the training. ‘We are very appreciative of the enormous support we have received from the Wakiso District Health Office and other local partners for our work in the district as of part of the partnership between Nottingham Trent and Makerere Universities.’ Said Prof. Linda Gibson, the UK Project Lead.
