The World Well being Group (WHO), in partnership with the Ministry of Well being, the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC), Baylor Faculty of Drugs Youngsters’s Basis-Uganda, and Makerere College, celebrated two vital milestones on the Uganda Public Well being Institute: the 9th commencement of Public Well being Area Epidemiologists and the inaugural commencement of Laboratory Management Fellows. This occasion highlighted Uganda’s ongoing dedication to strengthening its public well being workforce, addressing rising well being challenges, and constructing resilient well being methods.
U.S. Ambassador to Uganda, His Excellency William W. Popp, counseled the graduates for his or her resilience and dedication. He acknowledged the pivotal position of the CDC-supported Area Epidemiology Coaching Program, which has educated 800 illness detectives since its institution in 2015. Ambassador Pop additionally acknowledged the inaugural cohort of Laboratory Management Fellows for his or her essential contributions to the 2022-2023 Ebola response and their present work in addressing mpox.
“At this time, we rejoice the exceptional achievements of Uganda’s illness detectives and laboratory leaders. These professionals are on the forefront of tackling well being challenges, stopping outbreaks, and saving lives,” Ambassador Popp stated. “The U.S, by means of CDC, is dedicated to constructing a more healthy and extra resilient future. We’ll proceed to help and fund applications that handle well being challenges and stop outbreaks.”
In her handle, Commissioner Laboratory Well being Companies, Dr Susan Nabadda, urged the graduates to embrace their new roles as public well being leaders. “The resilience you’ve proven throughout your coaching will now be essential as you safeguard the well being of our communities,” Dr Nabadda acknowledged. “Your contributions will form Uganda’s well being panorama for years to come back.”
Dr Kasonde Mwinga, WHO Nation Consultant, praised the graduates for his or her unwavering dedication and emphasised their essential position in making certain Uganda’s well being safety. “You’re on the forefront of illness surveillance, outbreak response, and evidence-based policymaking,” Dr Mwinga remarked. “Your experience will allow swift and decisive motion towards well being threats.”
She reiterated WHO’s ongoing help in strengthening Uganda’s public well being methods. “WHO stays steadfast in supporting Uganda’s workforce growth, enhancing illness surveillance, and enhancing emergency preparedness and response. Collectively, we proceed to construct resilient well being methods that meet worldwide requirements.”
The occasion additionally celebrated the management of the Ministry of Well being and the contributions of Makerere College College of Public Well being (MakSPH) in advancing public well being training and coaching in Uganda. Dr Rhoda Wanyenze, Dean of MakSPH, emphasised the establishment’s long-standing collaboration with WHO and the Ministry. “By means of our joint efforts, we’ve got developed a strong coaching platform that equips well being professionals with the talents wanted to deal with Uganda’s most urgent well being challenges,” she stated.
The Laboratory Management Fellows have been additionally honored for his or her vital contributions to advancing Uganda’s laboratory methods, that are key to efficient illness diagnostics and outbreak responses. Dr Mwinga highlighted the significance of this cohort, noting that “their management will guarantee diagnostic accuracy and assist Uganda meet world public well being requirements.”
Because the ceremony concluded, graduates have been inspired to view challenges similar to antimicrobial resistance, local weather change, and rising illnesses as alternatives to innovate and drive transformative change. This name to motion bolstered the significance of steady innovation within the face of evolving well being threats.
This occasion marked a major milestone not just for the graduates but additionally for Uganda’s public well being achievements. It reaffirmed the nation’s progress in reaching its public well being targets by means of strategic partnerships and capacity-building investments.
WHO stays totally dedicated to supporting Uganda in its ongoing efforts to construct resilient, efficient well being methods that may reply to the nation’s evolving public well being wants.