UGANDA: Effective management can defeat Ebola outbreak
The current outbreak
in parts of West Africa of the deadly Ebola disease, whose cure is yet unknown,
has sparked serious global concern and sometimes unjustified panic. But the
example of how Uganda successfully contained its own outbreaks in the past
offers hope that the disease can be dealt with effectively if health
authorities take decisive and prompt measures.
in parts of West Africa of the deadly Ebola disease, whose cure is yet unknown,
has sparked serious global concern and sometimes unjustified panic. But the
example of how Uganda successfully contained its own outbreaks in the past
offers hope that the disease can be dealt with effectively if health
authorities take decisive and prompt measures.
Uganda has
had three outbreaks of the Ebola epidemic during which a number of people lost their
lives, but many others who were infected survived.
had three outbreaks of the Ebola epidemic during which a number of people lost their
lives, but many others who were infected survived.
According to
the World Health Organization (WHO), Uganda’s first outbreak happened between
December 2000 and January 2001. Some 425 cases were reported, resulting in 224
deaths in Gulu, Masindi and Mbarara districts. Two hundred people recovered
from the disease.
the World Health Organization (WHO), Uganda’s first outbreak happened between
December 2000 and January 2001. Some 425 cases were reported, resulting in 224
deaths in Gulu, Masindi and Mbarara districts. Two hundred people recovered
from the disease.
The second
outbreak happened between December 2007 and January 2008 and 149 cases were
reported. There were 37 deaths in Bundibugyo District in the western of the
country. At least 112 infected persons recovered.
outbreak happened between December 2007 and January 2008 and 149 cases were
reported. There were 37 deaths in Bundibugyo District in the western of the
country. At least 112 infected persons recovered.
The latest outbreak
was between June and August 2012 during which 24 cases were reported out of
which 17 deaths occurred in the Kabale District. Seven people survived.
was between June and August 2012 during which 24 cases were reported out of
which 17 deaths occurred in the Kabale District. Seven people survived.
Judging from
the statistics presented by WHO, it is important to note that Uganda has a
record of successfully managing Ebola, or the deaths from the highly infectious
disease would have been huge. On October 4, 2012, Uganda declared the end of
the last outbreak.
the statistics presented by WHO, it is important to note that Uganda has a
record of successfully managing Ebola, or the deaths from the highly infectious
disease would have been huge. On October 4, 2012, Uganda declared the end of
the last outbreak.
In an interview
with Dr. Sam Orach, Executive Director of Uganda Catholic Medical Bureau
(UCMB), AMECEA Online News
established that Uganda managed Ebola through collaborations, quick response,
training of health workers from the grassroots level, creation of public awareness
and strict surveillance.
with Dr. Sam Orach, Executive Director of Uganda Catholic Medical Bureau
(UCMB), AMECEA Online News
established that Uganda managed Ebola through collaborations, quick response,
training of health workers from the grassroots level, creation of public awareness
and strict surveillance.
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| Logo of Uganda Catholic Medical Bureau |
“We have
recognized and accepted the fact that as a conference or as the Catholic Church
alone we cannot manage the magnitude of health emergencies like Ebola outbreak
or any other disease outbreak,” Dr. Orach explained.
recognized and accepted the fact that as a conference or as the Catholic Church
alone we cannot manage the magnitude of health emergencies like Ebola outbreak
or any other disease outbreak,” Dr. Orach explained.
UCMB has forged
close partnership with the government to respond to health emergencies like
Ebola, Dr. Orach said.
close partnership with the government to respond to health emergencies like
Ebola, Dr. Orach said.
“I am a
member of the health Policy Advisory Committee of the Ministry of Health. We
participate as the Catholic Church, the Protestant Church and indeed Muslims in
various committees working on health,” he said
member of the health Policy Advisory Committee of the Ministry of Health. We
participate as the Catholic Church, the Protestant Church and indeed Muslims in
various committees working on health,” he said
“Usually
when there are outbreaks of that type, two levels of committees are formed at
the ministry of health: the technical committee and an overall steering
committee, which look at the policies and undertake the oversight on appropriate
responses,” he explained.
when there are outbreaks of that type, two levels of committees are formed at
the ministry of health: the technical committee and an overall steering
committee, which look at the policies and undertake the oversight on appropriate
responses,” he explained.
“In the past
when an outbreak occurred, whenever we heard of Ebola, the information went out
very fast and the country was swift to respond,” said Dr. Orach.
when an outbreak occurred, whenever we heard of Ebola, the information went out
very fast and the country was swift to respond,” said Dr. Orach.
“The
Diocesan Health Coordinator in the area where such an outbreak occurs becomes
part of the consultative team from that particular area. They work together
with the Ministry of Health at that level, exchanging information and creating
awareness. Also a lot of surveillance is done.”
Diocesan Health Coordinator in the area where such an outbreak occurs becomes
part of the consultative team from that particular area. They work together
with the Ministry of Health at that level, exchanging information and creating
awareness. Also a lot of surveillance is done.”
Dr. Orach
said that capacity building of medical personnel and health workers from
grassroots level has also been a major contributing factor towards control of
Ebola in the country whenever there is an outbreak.
said that capacity building of medical personnel and health workers from
grassroots level has also been a major contributing factor towards control of
Ebola in the country whenever there is an outbreak.
“Patients
first report to the nearest health centers whenever they fall sick and even
before proper diagnosis is done and the patient is quarantined, the
possibility of infecting others is very high. This is why we felt it was important
to empower health workers at grassroots level and equip health facilities at
the very basic levels,” Dr. Orach explained.
first report to the nearest health centers whenever they fall sick and even
before proper diagnosis is done and the patient is quarantined, the
possibility of infecting others is very high. This is why we felt it was important
to empower health workers at grassroots level and equip health facilities at
the very basic levels,” Dr. Orach explained.
When the
first Ebola outbreak happened in Gulu in December 2000, Dr. Orach explained
that the country was not well prepared, which was why a high number of
infections and deaths were recorded. In subsequent years the Catholic Church has
been able to buy enough equipment through the support of donor agencies and distribute to all Catholic health
facilities in the country.
first Ebola outbreak happened in Gulu in December 2000, Dr. Orach explained
that the country was not well prepared, which was why a high number of
infections and deaths were recorded. In subsequent years the Catholic Church has
been able to buy enough equipment through the support of donor agencies and distribute to all Catholic health
facilities in the country.
“The
intention was that the consumable parts of the kits such as the disinfectants
could be used by the facilities if there were no outbreak and be replenished,”
he said.
intention was that the consumable parts of the kits such as the disinfectants
could be used by the facilities if there were no outbreak and be replenished,”
he said.
When the
second outbreak occurred, the Church again managed to get money to provide
protective equipment to all health facilities belonging to the Catholic Church,
Protestant churches and Muslims. The church did the same during the third
outbreak in 2012.
second outbreak occurred, the Church again managed to get money to provide
protective equipment to all health facilities belonging to the Catholic Church,
Protestant churches and Muslims. The church did the same during the third
outbreak in 2012.
Dr. Orach
said that at the moment the ministry of health is doing serious surveillance at
all points of entry to the country. In addition people are being sensitized
through posters and fliers about Ebola to increase public awareness.
said that at the moment the ministry of health is doing serious surveillance at
all points of entry to the country. In addition people are being sensitized
through posters and fliers about Ebola to increase public awareness.
Ebola has no
known cure. “We just used supportive hospital care and this worked well for
those patients whose diagnosis was promptly done before the virus took a toll
on their health,” Dr. Orach told AMECEA
Online News.
known cure. “We just used supportive hospital care and this worked well for
those patients whose diagnosis was promptly done before the virus took a toll
on their health,” Dr. Orach told AMECEA
Online News.
Supportive hospital
care for Ebola patients includes providing fluids for rehydration, maintaining
blood pressure, providing oxygen when and as required, replacement of lost
blood and treatment for other infections that may develop.
care for Ebola patients includes providing fluids for rehydration, maintaining
blood pressure, providing oxygen when and as required, replacement of lost
blood and treatment for other infections that may develop.
Source: Pamela Adinda, AMECEA Social
Communications
Communications
