By Our Reporter
Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital has taken a significant step towards enhancing its emergency response capabilities with the launch of a regional Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
This regional initiative, launched by the Ministry of Health, represented by Dr. Allan Muluta Niyonzima, Commissioner for Integrated Epidemiology Surveillance and Public Health Emergencies, is part of the government’s broader efforts to decentralize emergency services.
The EOC, located within the hospital’s clinical laboratories, will play a crucial role in coordinating responses to both infectious and non-infectious diseases within the region. According to Dr. Francis Mugabi, Head of Public Health and regional EOC Manager, the center will help address the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, where a lack of proper coordination hindered their efforts.
The Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) have been instrumental in supporting the establishment of the EOC.
The hospital’s Public Relations Officer, Halson Kagure, clarified to the media that an Emergency Operations Center operates by continuously monitoring situations, gathering data, and receiving alerts and notifications from the public. The team at the center analyzes this information and coordinates resources to swiftly and effectively manage emergencies.
Dr. Edson Katushabe, Surveillance Focal Person at WHO, expressed gratitude for the Ministry’s efforts in making the EOC functional, which will enable the team to investigate and handle emergencies effectively.
The launch was also attended by Associate Professor Joseph Ngonzi, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), who highlighted the significance of the hospital’s collaboration with the university in responding to emergency situations.
Dr. Deus Twesigye, Acting Hospital Director, inaugurated a 16-member EOC steering committee, which he will chair. He emphasized that the center is equipped with professionals possessing advanced skills in responding to emergencies.
Dr. Issa Makumbi, Director of Uganda’s Public Health Operations Center, urged the referral hospital team to utilize the newly launched system, assuring them of his team’s readiness to provide support.
In his remarks, Dr. Allan Muluta commended the transformation at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, noting its significant improvement over the years. He also emphasized the importance of promoting the One Health program by working closely with veterinary officers and environmental bodies in the region, as many diseases threatening humankind originate from animals.
