In the World With COVID-19: Never Allow What I Cannot Do to Prevent What I Can Do

Written by Reverend Samuel Luboga, PhD, Co-Founder of the Homestay Model in Global Health, Uganda

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The COVID-19 pandemic reminds me of the turbulent times of the 1970s and 1980s in Uganda. Health facilities almost grounded to a stop as many healthcare workers fled the country fearing for their lives. Moving about was so dangerous that traveling to the hospital at night or even seeking emergency care was out of the question. I stuck it out despite the danger to my own life and my family in order to be available to render whatever healthcare I could to the people of Uganda. I ran an evening clinic in my house to attend to anyone who needed emergency care, having risked his or her life to knock at my door at any time of night.

In the World With COVID-19: A Reflection on Miracles and Suffering

Written by Susan Nalugo, BBA, DMA, Coordinator of the Makerere University - Yale University (MUYU) Collaboration

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On a personal level, I went through the lockdown ungrudgingly. I didn’t feel the effect of the pandemic until September 2020 when the prices of commodities skyrocketed. I did everything I could to protect myself from anxiety, stress, and distress. I spent three months completing an online Leadership and Management in Health course with the University of Washington. I taught myself how to make different foods, the most exciting of which was bread, as it won me an International television moment. I exercised daily. As a person of faith, I also spent quality time working on my spiritual growth.

In the World With COVID-19: Swimming in a Sea of Uncertainty

Written by Jamidah Nakato, PhD, Department of Marketing and Management at Makerere University College of Business and Management Sciences

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It is now official. The new normal has emerged from the ashes of COVID-19. In Uganda, many things were pushed to the back burner during the lockdown such as leisure activities, child vaccinations, healthcare visits, birth control, businesses, and education among others. There is hope that when a vaccine comes through we can return to the way things used to be. The questions range from, ‘Is this even possible?’, ‘What will life be after sanitizing, hand washing, and social distancing?’ ‘Will we cease doing all that or will this lifestyle stay with us for some time?’

In the World With COVID-19: The Hibernation Period

Written by Susan Nassaka Byekwaso, MBA, Coordinator of International Programs and Director of the Nuvance Health / University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine Global Health Program at the Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Uganda

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When I first heard about COVID-19, I never imagined that the disease would affect everyone and even lead to closure of higher institutions of learning. I imagined that just like previous viral diseases like Ebola, COVID-19 would be contained and managed in a short period of time. I assured everyone that Uganda would use its experience in managing hemorrhagic fevers to control this pandemic. I continued coordinating clinical placements for students who were already in Uganda with the objective of undertaking clinical rotations as part of their global health rotations.

In the World With COVID-19: Our Duty to Serve

Written by Joseph Kalanzi, MD, Chief Resident Emergency Medicine at Makerere University College of Health Sciences

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If there is one thing the COVID-19 pandemic has taught me, it is that it is our duty to serve. Being faced with the possibility of contracting this deadly disease while in the line of duty in the Emergency Department was a painful reality I had not braced myself to handle. The usual muscle aches and mild flu from a long shift leave me debating whether I have finally come down with the virus.

In the World With COVID-19: Facing Up With the Reality of the Lockdown: Early-Unpensionable Retirement Part II

Written by Justus Ibrahim, Coordinator of International Programs Engagements at the African Community Center for Social Sustainability (ACCESS), Uganda

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Mixed feelings emanating from lockdown outpourings have indeed swayed me. I feel like a man who has been forced to retire when he is unprepared. Moreover, this retirement is not pensionable. I am professionally redundant and vexed by furloughing that required me to abruptly tread in the path leading to my ancestral home… Lessons of the old saying, East – West, home is best is sharply resounding with its emissary echoes.

In the World With COVID-19: Facing Up With the Reality of the Lockdown: Early-Unpensionable Retirement Part I

Written by Justus Ibrahim, Coordinator of International Programs Engagements at the African Community Center for Social Sustainability (ACCESS), Uganda

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It was late February to mid-March 2020 that the unusual outpoured. I was busy attending to my vocational obligations which include global health program coordination. I am passionate about authenticating my career in global health, yet these vibrations are for the meantime dismayed. Coordinating global health placement for MPH students from Touro University was among several activities I was involved in running at the African Community Center for Social Sustainability (ACCESS) Uganda Nakaseke headquarters. 

In the World With COVID-19: What Africa Can Teach the World About Scarcity, Tragedy, and Uncertainty During the Pandemic: Part II

Written by Robert Kalyesubula, MD, nephrologist and founder of the African Community Center for Social Sustainability (ACCESS), Uganda

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As mortal beings, we must accept that death is an integral part of life. We simply do not have control over everything. As good clinicians, it is important to pour our hearts into every action we undertake and do what we can for our patients despite not knowing the outcome. Offering our best and knowing we did all we could in a given moment can be an invaluable source of reassurance.

In the World With COVID-19: What Africa Can Teach the World About Scarcity, Tragedy, and Uncertainty During the Pandemic: Part I

Written by Robert Kalyesubula, MD, Nephrologist and Founder of the African Community Center for Social Sustainability, Nakaseke, Uganda

In the World With COVID-19: Uganda

Written by Reverend Samuel Luboga, co-founder of the Global Health Program Homestay Model in Uganda

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I am sad to say that our worst fears have come to pass. As of today, April 6, Uganda has 52 confirmed cases of COVID-19 out of approximately 400 tests. It started with a Ugandan returning from Italy via Dubai. In response, the government and religious leaders have embarked on an intense COVID-19 awareness campaign.