Environmental health experts call for enhanced disease surveillance, technology to combat emerging diseases in Uganda.
Drake Nyamugabwa
Environmental health experts and Professionals practitioners have expressed concern over the significant neglect exhibited to environmental health which they say has undermined its contribution to public health that affects both communicable and non-communicable diseases.
They have urged environmental health stakeholders to come together with concerted efforts to provide environmental health solutions in the combating of emerging diseases and prevent re-emerging diseases in Uganda.
This was revealed during the 18th Makerere University Environmental Health Students Association (MUEHSA) annual Scientific conference held at Makerere, Yusuf Lule CTF Auditorium from 27th to 28th April 2023.
The theme of the conference was: "Environmental Health & its contribution to combating emerging and re-emerging diseases"
Lt. Col. Dr. Kyobe Henry Bbosa, Ministry of Health giving his remarks
While officiating at the conference, The Chief Guest Lt. Col. Dr. Kyobe Henry Bbosa from The Ministry of Health underscored the importance of applying public health interventions which he attributed to the changing global and local dynamics thus increasing the outbreak of environment-based diseases which he said can be well combated through a collaborative effort with other stakeholders.
“Environmental health is the biggest interface humans have with the environment, the changing dynamics of public health is dictated by global, local factors, humans and environment,” he said
He said that the application of public health interventions is influenced by local and global aspects including climate change, globalization & International trade, inequity, advances in science & technology, and population behavior among others.
The Chief Guest called for customized public health intervention through research evidence to guide the response while urging academia to take the lead.
“Response to disease control needs local evidence to have customized interventions. Academia must take the lead” he said
The Dean of Makerere School of Public Health, Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze said in a bid to grow the environmental health profession, the school of public health has introduced The Masters in Environmental Health program and has plans to elevate it to PhD studies.
She said that there is a need to enhance surveillance systems to prevent diseases including malaria.
“In the fight against malaria, we need surveillance mechanisms to monitor the amounts being sprayed, these days we spray everything mostly agricultural and this must be contributing to the high cases of cancer," she said
The Patron of MUEHSA, Ruth Mubeezi -pictured above, in an interview on the sidelines of the conference said that association with the support from the university and stakeholders has achieved various milestones over the years including mentoring young people in aspects of environmental health, community activities including disseminating scientific findings, community cleaning, community education among others.
She said that the minimal appreciation of the environmental health discipline has hampered the big support expected from stakeholders while calling for a re-focus on preventive measures to diseases.
The President of MUEHSA and chairperson organizing committee of the 18th MUEHSA Conference Shafiq Senkubuge -pictured above, while urging everyone to play a part in combating the emerging diseases and occurrences of re-merging diseases, applauded the collaborative effort of stakeholders and partners for making the conference a success.
He specifically thanked partners like UNICEF, Ministry of Health, Africa Digital, NETWASH, Mento Globally, Uganda Aids Commission, and AFROHUN among others.
Makerere University Environmental Health Students Association, (MUEHSA) is a student body advocating for Clean Environment, Healthy Living & Disease-Free Generations. Promoting increased awareness of issues affecting the public.
MUEHSA was established in 2003 by Environmental Health students at Makerere University School of Public Health with the aim of promoting the interests of Environmental Health students, and Environmental Health practitioners in Uganda and globally.
