By Aldo Esilu
World Vision Uganda, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the District Local Government, is concluding the Mpox Response Project. This initiative, funded by the National Emergency Preparedness Relief Fund (NEPREF) with a budget of $50,179, marks the final phase of a three-months efforts aimed at protecting communities, children, and families from Mpox infections. The project began on November 1st, 2024, and will conclude on January 31st 2025. It focuses on prevention, health system strengthening, and community collaboration across Kigandalo, Busakira, and Mpungwe sub-counties.
The primary goal of the project is to support communities, including schools, in implementing preventive measures to limit the spread of Mpox in Mayuge district. Additionally, it aims to enhance the health system’s ability to respond effectively to Mpox infections and diseases. The project encourages collaboration and engagement with district, sub-county, and community structures to ensure that vulnerable children receive social protection, food security, and improvements in their livelihoods.
This project is being executed in partnership with Mayuge District Local Government, Uganda Health Activity (UHA), Jinja Regional Referral Hospital (JRRH), Red Cross Uganda, schools, and community leaders. It has successfully trained 40 health workers, 248 Village Health Teams (VHTs), 123 teachers, 109 religious leaders, 164 youth/adolescent leaders, 212 LC1 chairpersons, and 312 sector promoters. Furthermore, it has reactivated and trained three sub-county task forces in Kigandalo, Mpungwe, and Busakira, and sensitized 6,836 adult community members, 2,290 youths, and 3,814 school-aged children. The project has also supported 12 radio talk shows to raise awareness in the community.
Additionally, the project has provided food support to 30 Mpox patients, delivered psychosocial support and counseling to 48 families affected by Mpox, and supplied over 1,762 pieces of health facility equipment, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) materials, and Information Education and Communication materials to frontline health workers in health facility isolation units.
Ms. Caroline Akongo, Programme Manager for Mayuge Kaliro Cluster, stated that as the project comes to a close, the district surveillance team continues to receive a rise in alerts from empowered communities, indicating increased awareness and proactive measures against Mpox. These empowered community structures are expected to maintain their efforts in sensitization, case identification, and reporting, thereby ensuring timely care and treatment for those affected. Additionally, the ministry of health will continue coordinating other partners to sustain the disease and the impact of this project.
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