Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital has officially launched a state-of-the-art Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) to enhance the region’s preparedness and response to public health emergencies.
Speaking at the launch, Dr. Allan Muruta, Commissioner for Integrated Epidemiology, Surveillance, and Public Health Emergencies at the Ministry of Health, highlighted the EOC’s critical role in improving disease surveillance. He noted that the centre will empower districts to collect and analyze health data effectively, facilitating the early detection and prevention of epidemic outbreaks.
Dr. Deus Twesigye, the hospital’s Acting Director, praised the Ugandan government for investing in this crucial facility. He emphasized the EOC’s capacity to support the identification, isolation, and treatment of infectious diseases, including Marburg, Ebola, Mpox, Rift Valley Fever, and Foot-and-Mouth Disease.
The EOC is expected to act as a regional hub for coordinating public health responses, ensuring faster interventions and better containment of outbreaks, ultimately safeguarding communities from devastating epidemics.
Story by Aggrey Twesigye
