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. 2022 Aug 30;10(4):e2100784.
doi: 10.9745/GHSP-D-21-00784. Print 2022 Aug 30.

Uganda National Institute of Public Health: Establishment and Experiences, 2013-2021

Alex Riolexus Ario  1   2 , Issa Makumbi  3   2 , Daniel Kadobera  3 , Lilian Bulage  3 , Felix Ocom  3 , Benon Kwesiga  3 , Dennis F Jarvis  4 , Sandra Nabatanzi  5 , Jaco Homsy  5 , Flora Banage  5 , Vance Brown  5 , Julie R Harris  5 , Amy L Boore  5 , Lisa J Nelson  5 , Sue Binder  6 , Henry G Mwebesa  2 , Jane R Aceng  2
Affiliations

Uganda National Institute of Public Health: Establishment and Experiences, 2013-2021

Alex Riolexus Ario et al. Glob Health Sci Pract. .

Abstract

Uganda is an ecological hot spot with porous borders that lies in several infectious disease transmission belts, making it prone to disease outbreaks. To prepare and respond to these public health threats and emergencies in a coordinated manner, Uganda established the Uganda National Institute of Public Health (UNIPH) in 2013.Using a step-by-step process, Uganda's Ministry of Health (MOH) crafted a strategy with a vision, mission, goal, and strategic objectives, and identified value additions and key enablers for success. A regulatory impact assessment was then conducted to inform the drafting of principles of the bill for legislation on the Institute.Despite not yet attaining legal status, the UNIPH has already achieved faster, smarter, and more efficient and effective prevention, detection, and response to public health emergencies. Successes include a more coordinated multisectoral, disciplined, and organized response to emergencies; appropriate, timely, and complete information receipt and sharing; a functional national lab sample and results transportation network that has enabled detection and confirmation of public health events within 48 hours of alert; appropriate response to a confirmed public health event in 24-48 hours; and real-time surveillance of endemic- and epidemic-prone diseases.In this article, we document success stories, lessons learned, and challenges encountered during the unique staged process used to develop the components of the UNIPH. The creation of an integrated disease control center has proven to yield better collaboration and synergies between different arms of epidemic preparedness and response.

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Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Implementation Phases of the Uganda National Institute of Public Health, 2021 Abbreviations: HSDP, Health Sector Development Plan; PHEOC, Public Health Emergency Operations Centre; UNIPH, Uganda National Institute of Public Health.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
National Response Structure for Public Health Emergencies in Uganda
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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