Kampala – Makerere College College of Public Well being (MakSPH) marked its seventieth anniversary with a celebratory occasion in Kampala, bringing collectively dignitaries together with State Minister for Major Well being Care Hon. Margaret Muhanga, Makerere College Vice Chancellor Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, MakSPH Dean Professor Rhoda Wanyenze, and Ministry of Well being Officers. The World Well being Group (WHO) Uganda reaffirmed its dedication to supporting MakSPH’s work in advancing public well being.
Hon. Muhanga applauded MakSPH’s transition to stand-alone standing inside Makerere College, which is predicted to boost its impression. She highlighted the varsity’s important position in epidemic response, well being techniques strengthening, and coverage growth. “MakSPH has been pivotal in documenting progress in the direction of eliminating illnesses like HIV and TB,” she remarked.
Since its inception in 1954, MakSPH has advanced into a number one establishment in public well being schooling and analysis in Africa. Professor Nawangwe praised the varsity for contributing practically 50% of Makerere College’s analysis output and shaping Uganda’s well being insurance policies.
Professor Wanyenze highlighted the varsity’s milestones, from groundbreaking analysis initiatives to impactful group engagements. She emphasised the necessity for continued innovation to deal with rising challenges resembling non-communicable illnesses and local weather change.
WHO Uganda Nation Consultant, Dr Charles Njuguna, lauded the longstanding collaboration with MakSPH. Over the previous 5 years, this partnership has spearheaded practically 50 initiatives, together with the Uganda Non-Communicable Ailments Danger Elements STEPS Survey and the Nationwide Immunization Technique. “MakSPH exemplifies how academia and worldwide organizations can work collectively to unravel world well being challenges,” he remarked.
Dr Njuguna inspired MakSPH to pursue standing as a WHO Collaborating Middle, which might considerably improve its world affect. Globally, WHO Collaborating Facilities play a pivotal position in advancing illness prevention and well being techniques analysis. With solely 27 such facilities in Africa, establishing one in Uganda would mark a big milestone.
Graduates from MakSPH are amongst WHO workers, contributing considerably to the group’s work in varied technical areas, each within the subject and on the workplace, throughout completely different clusters within the nation workplace and the three ranges of the group. Their efforts have been instrumental in WHO’s mission to advertise well being, maintain the world secure and serve the weak.
Mackline Asiimwe, a subject epidemiologist deployed by WHO to fight mpox outbreaks in Uganda’s Nakasongola and Pallisa districts, credit MakSPH’s rigorous coaching and various competencies in epidemiology and analysis for her success.
After incomes a Grasp’s in Well being Companies and Analysis, Asiimwe accomplished a WHO-supported, US Authorities-funded fellowship in subject epidemiology, equipping her to excel in public well being. “The talents I gained at MakSPH allow me to reply successfully to public well being emergencies,” she famous.
The occasion additionally highlighted the inspiring tales of MakSPH alumni who’ve excelled of their schooling and careers, embodying the varsity’s mission to provide transformational leaders and foster excellence in innovation.
Amongst them was Ruth Mubeezi, whose journey took her from being a scholar at MakSPH to serving as a college member in Public Well being. Reflecting on her expertise, she mentioned, “MakSPH instilled in me a deep dedication to enhancing well being outcomes, with a deal with advancing environmental well being.”
Sam Ongom, at the moment a Monitoring, Analysis, and Analysis Advisor at Jhpiego Uganda, additionally credited the varsity for shaping his path to group impression. “I owe a terrific deal to my mentor, Assoc. Prof. Peter Waiswa, whose steerage emphasised the worth of pursuing an MPH in a quickly evolving world,” he shared.
The celebrations concluded with a name to motion for continued and strengthened partnerships and innovation. “The following 70 years maintain even better promise as we try to form a more healthy, extra equitable future for Uganda and past,” mentioned Professor Wanyenze.
This momentous event of celebrating 70 years was additionally used to formally launch MaKSPH’s strategic plan for the subsequent 5 years (2025-2030) below the theme, “Shaping Well being, Empowering the Future”.
As MakSPH celebrates 70 years, its management in analysis and coaching stays crucial in addressing Uganda’s well being challenges. With WHO’s help, this collaboration continues to drive capability constructing, evidence-based policymaking, and group well being enhancements, and laying a powerful basis for sustainable public well being interventions.