Govt starts academy to improve disease prevention

By Violet Nabatanzi

The ministry of health has said that the establishment of Ugandan Academy for health innovation and impact will address the existing gaps in HIV/AIDS and TB research.

The director general health services at the ministry of health Dr. Jane Aceng said Uganda has come a long way in the struggle against HIV and Tuberculosis (TB) and it has reached a point where new ideas and innovations are needed to handle the epidemic.

Speaking during the inauguration of the Uganda Academy for health innovation and Impact at Makerere University Aceng said, "We need innovations to ensure that even those who are put on treatment remain on treatment and that whatever intervention we are putting in place is cost effective."

(L-R) Executive director, Infectious Disease Institute, Richard Brough; Director Global Public Health at Janssen, Maik Stumpf;, Christine Odoa, Timothy Musila and professor Elly Katabira cut cake after signing of the memorandum of understanding between Infectious Disease Institute and Ministry of health at Infectious Disease Institute Makerere University on 17/11/2015. PHOTO BY JULIET KASIRYE

The current prevalence rate, according to the Uganda AIDS Indicator Survey, is 7.3% from 6.4%, while among the youth the prevalence rate stands at 5.7% compared to 3.7% in 2011.

The Academy will bring together several Ugandan partners who jointly aim to improve disease prevention in a sustainable manner by building on local partnership, expertise and evidence.

Aceng said "the academy coming up with new ideas and innovation based on research will give a way forward on how to handle the currently new generation that we are having challenges with."

The Academy director, Dr. Rosalind Parkes-Ratanshi, said the project worth sh24bn will encompass HIV, TB clinical management, and applied research to address urgent health needs in Uganda.

"We are starting with three demonstration projects in clinical management, research and training of healthcare workers,"

IDI executive director, Richard Brough said the Academy is an excellent example of African-led international partnership aimed at producing practical African solutions to pressing challenges related to HIV and TB.

Maik Stumpf, director Global public health at Janssen, explained that supporting the Academy is the way  to improve health outcomes for vulnerable populations.