The integrated Community Health Initiative Organization with support from the Crown prince Court of Abu Dhabi through the Global health Strategies organized the first ever World NTD day in Kampala-Uganda in partnership with theUganda Ministry of Health, Makerere University and
Kampala Capital City Authority. The celebrations attracted over 500 people including policy makers, University, paramedical and lower level students- (including primary and secondary) researchers, media, NTD experts and wider community members resident at the Ggaba landing site and the Katoogo zone.
ICHIO planned to increase students and partner involvement in the advocacy, prevention and control of NTDs at different levels and raise awareness about NTDs in the most vulnerable communities of landing sites and slums.
To achieve the above objectives, two major activities were planned and successfully excuted. These included the student’s dialogue code named “Students Voices on NTDs” and the community NTDs awareness campaign .Both activities had a special focus on Schistosomiasis, however, organizers and presenters were keen at giving highlights on other locally common NTDS such as Trachoma, Intestinal helminthes, Leprosy, Onchocerciasis, Filariasis among others.
The students’ dialogue (students’ voices on NTDs) held on 29th January 2020 at Davis Lecture Theatre, College of Health Sciences -Makerere University, attracted 247 participants. This dialogue involved 6 students (panelist) who presented on NTDs guided by a predetermined criteria and topical areas including the burden of NTDS, the existing interventions, gaps and recommendations. One student presented a case scenario on Schistosomiasis case identification and management based on his experience on the ward as a 3rd year medical student. This was followed by general discussions guided by the NTDs experts including the Assistant Commissioner NTD control-Ministry of health-Uganda who as presented on national level strategies and priorities in line with NTDs. On Thursday, 30th January 2020-(1st World NTD Day), ICHIO led other partners local in sensitizing communities along Ggaba landing site and crowned the events at Katoogo landing zone with major NTDs awareness talks graced by local politicians, Makindye division health team (KCCA) among others in which over 300 people were reached with NTD control messages with specific focus on schistosomiasis.