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By Timothy Eodu-Moroto
Moroto regional referral hospital in partnership with Karenga district health department and other development partners are preparing to provide comprehensive medical services to the expected thousands of visitors and locals during the Karamoja Cultural Event slated for 2-9 September 2024.
This development was announced by Dr. Stephen Pande, the senior Executive Consultant at Moroto Regional Referral Hospital while addressing health workers and partners in a zoom meeting held on Friday 30th August.
According to the consultant, they will provide a range of health services ranging from HIV testing, TB screening, Maternity care, blood donation and other emergency responses. Dr. Pande added that by so doing, the hospital will be extending such services nearer to the populations (revelers) who may need attention.
To ensure quality health care at the event, Dr. Bahati Amon, the Karenga District Health Officer stated that they have mobilised extra medical supplies from most health facilities in the district, out sourced human resource to handle hygiene related issues and as well, partnered with some development partners to cover areas that the district may not be able to do.
“With the support from the National and regional medical teams, I am pleased to assure you that we shall offer more comprehensive medical services during the event. We will as well have more screening points to mitigate the spread of diseases like monkey pox,” he mentioned.
Dr. Lilly Achayo, the program manager CUAM-Moroto said they will support medical services at the event in collaboration with the Karamoja Doctor’s Forum to among others, carry out blood donation and any arising emergency support during the period of the event.
Achayo added that CUAM has also procured buffer medicine worth 4 million Uganda shillings to supplement on what other stakeholders will provide to ensure efficiency and timely response to people who will be seeking treatment.
However, Mr. Mudasirr Govule, the communications officer USAID Uganda Health Activity suggested that in order to improve access to such services, there is need for the stakeholders involved to do mass mobilization through both radio and online advertisement.
He said this will help to pass information to not only those going to attend the event, but also encourage the rest of the people in their respective communities to go and seek medical care from the nearest health facilities when they feel unwell.
This initiative comes at a time when Karamoja recently launched the Public Health Center at Moroto Regional Referral Hospital, to coordinate the implementation of all public health services across the region.
Public health emergencies are a major concern in Uganda, particularly in the Karamoja region due to its proximity to Kenya and South Sudan. The International Health Regulations (IHR, 2005) require countries to have functional public health emergency operations centers (PHEOCs) to coordinate preparedness and response to public health emergencies.
The PHEOC preparedness functions include risk and resource mapping, development of plans and procedures, and training and exercising, while the response activities include investigation, response, and recovery.
The establishment of the Moroto REOC is a crucial step towards ensuring coordinated preparedness and response to public health emergencies in Uganda. It will enhance communication and collaboration among relevant stakeholders, which is essential to successfully manage and contain outbreaks.
