Grapevine

Uganda sets up emergency health centre in Karamoja to tackle disease outbreaks

The Ministry of Health has set up a public health emergency operation centre in Karamoja to support the sub-region in handling disease outbreaks.

Dr John Baptist Waniaye, the commissioner for Emergency Health Services at the ministry, said currently, the emergency centre, which is based at Moroto Regional Referral Hospital, will help the 126 health facilities in the sub-region meet the population's health needs.

"This centre will be crucial in our efforts to respond swiftly to health crises and prevent the spread of diseases like measles and anthrax," Dr Waniaye said at the launch.

Dr Stephen Pande, the director of Moroto Regional Referral Hospital, explained how the facility will operate.

“According to its design, the referral pathway for managing disease outbreaks will begin at the village level, ensuring that cases are quickly identified and managed,” he said.