Launch of Moroto Emergency Operation center
Public health emergencies are a major concern in Uganda, particularly in the Karamoja region due to its proximity to Kenya and South Sudan. The International Health Regulations (IHR, 2005) require countries to have functional public health emergency operations centers (PHEOCs) to coordinate preparedness and response to public health emergencies. The PHEOC preparedness functions include risk and resource mapping, development of plans and procedures, and training and exercising, while the response activities include investigation, response, and recovery.
...Uganda has a functional National PHEOC, which has successfully coordinated multiple public health emergencies, including the recent COVID-19 outbreak. However, due to the nationwide spread of COVID-19, the resources of the National EOC were stretched thin, making it difficult to manage coordination in all parts of the country. This highlights the need for decentralization of coordination responsibilities to the subnational level.
During the Ebola Sudan 2022 outbreak, Karamoja regional stakeholders, including District Health Officers, identified the need for a regional coordination mechanism to respond to outbreaks. USAID-Uganda supported the establishment of the Moroto REOC hosted at the Moroto Regional Referral Hospital, which has since supported the development of the Epi bulletin. The REOC has made a tremendous contribution to public health emergencies in the region, and as a result, USAID and other partners are collaborating with the Ministry of Health to commission the REOC to operationalize and popularize it to national and subnational stakeholders in the current districts of Karenga, Nabilatuk, Kaabong, Kotido, Abim, Moroto, Napak, Amudat, and Nakapiripirit.
The establishment of the Moroto REOC is a crucial step towards ensuring coordinated preparedness and response to public health emergencies in Uganda. It will enhance communication and collaboration among relevant stakeholders, which is essential to successfully manage and contain outbreaks. We urge all stakeholders to support the commissioning and operation of the REOC to safeguard the health and wellbeing of the people of Uganda.