By Gilbert Akampa Kakurugu,
NATIONAL
Uganda has launched its second Joint External Evaluation (JEE) exercise to assess its compliance with the International Health Regulations (IHR) and determine its national capacity to prevent, detect early, and respond to public health emergencies and threats. The JEE, conducted with partners, aims to identify any gaps and challenges in the country’s health infrastructure, and to make recommendations to bolster its ability to comply with the IHR 2005.
According to Dr. Dan Kyabayinze, the Public Health Director at the Ministry of Health, the evaluation exercise is part of the country’s efforts to prepare for any future health emergencies of international concern. “The Second Joint External Evaluation for International Health Regulations that we have launched today is aimed at assessing the capacities our country has built over the years to prevent, detect early, and rapidly respond to health emergencies of international concern,” he said.
In 2017, Uganda conducted its first JEE, which identified several gaps and challenges in the country’s public health infrastructure and made recommendations to the government, including the development of the National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS, 2019-2023). The NAPHS aims to strengthen the country’s capacity to comply with the IHR 2005.
Since the first JEE, Uganda has made significant efforts to address the gaps identified, including amending the Public Health Act, strengthening surveillance for zoonotic diseases, opening a biosafety level 2 laboratory, and beginning antimicrobial resistance surveillance. Uganda has also opened regional public health emergency centers to improve its response to health emergencies and threats.
The JEE exercise comes at a time when the world is grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the importance of preparedness and response to health emergencies. Uganda’s evaluation exercise is a step in the right direction as the country continues to build its capacity to respond to public health threats.
