During the 2nd COVID-19 wave in 2021, the country experienced a surge in cases that significantly stretched the capacity of the healthcare system to effectively respond leading to loss of many lives. IDI received funding from the CDC to support the Government of Uganda’s efforts to rapidly strengthen response systems for COVID-19 focusing on filling human resource gaps, and logistical and technical support aligned to the National COVID-19 Resurgence Plan.

The support covered:

  • Facilitating communication for COVID-19 Incidence Management Team and district task forces within Kampala metropolitan area.
  • Strengthening surveillance and sample collection in hot spot districts and at the Mulago sample collection center
  • Strengthening Emergency Medical Services
  • Improving Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) and Case management at the Namboole Treatment unit
  • Psychosocial support training for frontline health care workers

Key Achievements

  • Surge surveillance staff were deployed to strengthen reporting and facility-based surveillance in hot spot districts.
  • 965 members from 70 COVID-19 village task forces trained in home-based care.
  • 18 EMS nurses were deployed to strengthen the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area EMS Call and Dispatch Centre
  • A 260-member Closed User Telephone Group was activated for EMS focal persons and key authorities to facilitate communication for referrals.
  • Over 400 COVID-19 cases were safely evacuated within the 3 months period of enhanced support
  • The project collaborated with The Academy for Health Innovations to roll out the Call for Life Interactive Voice Response platform to 16 COVID-19 treatment units for symptom screening and psychosocial support of discharged patients
  • Psychosocial support training was provided to over 319 Health Care Workers at COVID-19 Treatment units
  • A surge clinical team was deployed at the Namboole COVID-19 treatment unit markedly reducing the patient-health care worker ratio and mortality at the unit.