HAPPY 2013 Two years done the road, we have inspired and been inspired to continue advocating for the Private Health Sector. This is our avenue to improve not only the Quality of care through the Standards and Regulations but also boost the sector. With the successful first ever East African Healthcare Federation Conference (EAHFC), the Annual General Meeting, the pilot project on Standards and Regulations for the Private Sector, the South- South Knowledge Exchange on PPPs in Lesotho, the KCCA Partnership,formation of the Hub Committees we can boost of a good and fruitful year. Thank you for walking with us and wishing you a Happy and Prosperous 2013!

Uganda Healthcare Federation- Board meeting HIPS Boardroom Coppice Road, Kololo Friday, 2nd November, 2012 2:00pm-6:00pm Agenda 1:45pm-02:00pm Arrival and Registration Ms. Angellah Nakyanzi 2:00pm-2:10pm Welcome remarks, introductions and apologies Ms. Joanita Lwanga 2:10pm-2:20pm Review and confirmation of previous minutes Dr. Ian Clarke 2:20pm-2:40pm Chairman’s remarks Dr. Ian Clarke 2:40pm-3:30pm UHF Strategic Planning Session held in Nairobi Dr. Ian Clarke/ Ms. Joanita Lwanga 3:40pm-4:00pm Tea Break ………. 4:00pm-4:30pm Hub committee appointment exercise Dr. Ian Clarke/ Ms. Joanita Lwanga/ Ms. Angellah Nakyanzi 4:30pm-4:45pm Update on Arusha trip Dr. Ian Clarke/ Ms. Joanita Lwanga/Mr. Ramesh Babu/ Dr. Ben Kiwanuka 4:45pm-5:10pm Follow up on AGM board nominations/ Confirmations and board member reviews Dr. Ian Clarke 5:10pm-5:35pm Reactions Discussion led by Dr. Ian Clarke 5:35pm-5:55pm A.O.B ………… 5:55pm-6:00pm Closing Prayer ……………

Marburg Outbreak: All Kabale health centers to screen. Dr. Patrick Tusiime (left) Kabale District Director of Health Services, said on Tuesday that they have decided to extend the screening to all the health centers in the district since many people are believed to have had contact with victims. Health workers in Kabale District have launched Marburg screening at all health centers in the district as more cases of the deadly virus rise. This comes as number of people receiving treatment at an isolation unit at Rushoroza Health Center increased from two to five, while those under monitoring have increased to 120 from 36. Dr. Patrick Tusiime, Kabale District Director of Health Services, said on Tuesday that they have decided to extend the screening to all the health centers in the district since many people are believed to have had contact with victims. He said the screening would be done on a daily basis to help them intervene quickly. Kabale Deputy Resident District Commissioner, Mr. Mathew Elayo says the move by authorities to keep patients away from their relatives is aimed at checking the spread of the disease and asked locals to cooperate and wipe out the disease. Marburg is a highly contagious disease that kills in a short time but can easily be prevented. The disease which is caused by a virus spreads through direct contact with wounds, body fluids like blood, saliva, stool and urine of an infected person.

Standards and Regulations Update. The S&R team is still holding its stakeholders meeting but a consultative meeting will be held to solicit for everyone stakeholder's input. Please check out this site/ blog regularly for this communication. Thanks. Regards, UHF Team

UHF BIMONTHLY MEETING

UHF BIMONTHLY MEETING WHEN: FRIDAY 14TH SEPTEMBER 2012 WHERE: HIPS BOARDROOM Please see agenda below; Agenda for the UHF bimonthly Meeting Venue: HIPS Boardroom Date: Friday 14th September 2012 Time: 2:30-4:30 pm 1. Welcome remarks, Introductions and Apologies 2. Adoption of agenda 3. Review and confirmation of previous minutes 4. Chairman’s remarks 5. IFC Presentation – Dr. Bernard Olayo and Mr. James M Okongo 6. Update from IRA –Dr Patrick Luwaga 7. Standards and regulations review- Dr. Joel Okullo and Dr. Sarah Byakika 8. Update on PPPH Policy- Dr. Timothy Musila 9. Discussion on draft of Uganda Health Professions Authority Act – Dr. Ben Kiwanuka/Dr. Katie BA 10. EAHFC report printing and production Joanita Lwanga and Angellah Nakyanzi 11. UHF Strategic plan Dr. Ian Clarke and Joanita Lwanga 12. UHF Directory – Mrs. Victoria N H Kiryabwire 13. Matters arising 14. A.O.B Please come with a colleague. Thank you and see you there

Standards and Regulations Stakeholders' meeting The standards and regulations for the private health sector pilot project is on-going and a stakeholders meeting is slated for Thursday 16th August 2012 at HIPS offices, Plot 6 Coppice Road, Lower Kololo at 2:30 pm. All private practitioners, hospitals, clinics, pharmaceutical owners are urged to attend. please contact us at uhfadministrator@ugandahips.com Thanks,

EBOLA OUTBREAK

Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever in Uganda On Saturday 28th July 2012 the Ministry of Health has confirmed that there is an outbreak of Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever in Kibaale district, Midwestern Uganda. Laboratory investigations done at the Uganda Virus Research Institute in Entebbe confirmed that the “Strange Disease” reported in Kibaale was indeed Ebola hemorrhagic fever. So far a total of 20 cases with 14 deaths have been recorded. The index case was in Kibaale district. The latest news confirms that 2 cases have been reported in Kampala with one death occurring in hospital. I would like to disseminate this general information on the disease and implications for the general public. Transmission • The Ebola virus is transmitted by direct contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other body fluids of infected persons. • Burial ceremonies where mourners have direct contact with the body of the deceased person can play a significant role in the transmission of Ebola. • The infection of human cases with Ebola virus through the handling of infected animals especially primates has been documented. • Health care workers have frequently been infected while treating Ebola patients, through close contact without correct infection control precautions and adequate barrier nursing procedures. Incubation period: 2 to 21 days. Symptoms Ebola is characterized by: • Initially; sudden onset of fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. • This is then by vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, impaired kidney and liver function, and in some cases, both internal and external bleeding. • Laboratory findings show low counts of white blood cells and platelets as well as elevated liver enzymes. Diagnosis Specialized laboratory tests on blood specimens detect specific antigens and/or genes of the virus. Antibodies to the virus can be detected, and the virus can be isolated in cell culture. Tests on samples present an extreme biohazard risk and should only be conducted under maximum biological containment conditions. Testing is available at CDC lab in Entebbe. Treatment and vaccine • No specific treatment or vaccine is yet available for Ebola haemorrhagic fever. Containment • Suspected cases should be isolated from other patients and strict barrier nursing techniques implemented. • Tracing and follow up of people who may have been exposed to Ebola through close contact with patients are essential. • All hospital staff should be briefed on the nature of the disease and its transmission routes. Particular emphasis should be placed on ensuring that invasive procedures such as the placing of intravenous lines and the handling of blood, secretions, catheters and suction devices are carried out under strict barrier nursing conditions. Hospital staff should have individual gowns, gloves, masks and goggles. Non-disposable protective equipment must not be reused unless they have been properly disinfected. • Infection may also spread through contact with the soiled clothing or bed linens from a patient with Ebola. Disinfection is therefore required before handling these items. • Communities affected by Ebola should make efforts to ensure that the population is well informed, both about the nature of the disease itself and about necessary outbreak containment measures, including burial of the deceased. People who have died from Ebola should be promptly and safely buried. Contacts • As the primary mode of person-to-person transmission is contact with contaminated blood, secretions or body fluids, people who have had close physical contact with patients should be kept under strict surveillance. Their body temperature should be checked twice a day, with immediate hospitalization and strict isolation in case of the onset of fever. • Hospital staffs that come into close contact with patients or contaminated materials without barrier nursing attire must be considered as contacts and followed up accordingly. Recommendations Avoid travelling to affected areas. Use private means as far as possible; if not, avoid the crowded ones have on long sleeved clothing. Keep away from crowded areas or public gatherings such as markets, the park, discotheques etc. Avoid touching inanimate surfaces; keep your hands to yourself! Eat out only from trusted places • Carry hand sanitizers, wash/sanitize stuff from supermarkets • Report all suspected cases especially individuals who have travelled to affected areas • Beware that travelling out of Uganda at the moment might cause you embarrassment at some strict airports although no travel ban has been made yet.