The World Health Organization (WHO), International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in collaboration with Uganda’s Ministry of Health (MOH) organized a five-day training for 21 Point of Entry (POE) health officers in Lamwo district.

The training aimed at building the capacity of border officials, health workers, and Village Health Teams (VHTs) in disease surveillance, emergency response, infection control, communication coordination, and health reporting.

Uganda, being a landlocked country is prone to increased population movement across its borders with heightened risk for the importation of epidemic-prone diseases through points of entry. The country’s vulnerability to epidemics is intensified by the geographical location in the meningitis and yellow fever belts, epidemic outbreaks of Ebola Virus Disease, Marburg, Measles, Covid-19, and cholera among others.

“There is an urgent need to strengthen early detection/surveillance initiatives such as screening of travelers at ground crossing points and other response activities such as infection, prevention, and control, risk communication, social mobilization, community engagement, swift evacuation of suspected cases, and psychosocial support,” said Dr. Edson Katushabe, the Officer for Country Preparedness, and International Health Regulations (IHR) at the country office.

The border district preparedness for epidemic potential diseases is crucial in reducing the public health impact of emergencies, the cost of response, and recovery and serves as a long-term investment in the health system.

 “The trainees will be instrumental as POE trainers of trainers at district level, hence proper improvement and ability to respond appropriately to public Health emergencies at any time,” added Dr. Katushabe.

"It is essential that health staff get POE surveillance training for the existing designated points of entry where they work. This will help us in operational preparedness, "said Harriet Mayinja, Research Officer and PoE Focal Person Division of Surveillance and Knowledge Management at Ministry of Health.

The POE training is part of WHO's existing support and commitment to work together with the government and partners to prevent and combat endemic diseases and health emergencies.