In the World With COVID 19: Stay informed, Inspired, and Take Action Appropriately

Written by Sister Jane Frances, Director of St. Francis Naggalama Hospital

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Today, the world continues to grapple with COVID-19 and its impact on many, including children and women since March 30, 2020 in Uganda when the nation was first put on lockdown. Everyone at St. Francis Naggalama Hospital serving an immediate population of over 300,000 people young and old would be affected in some way.

In the World With COVID-19: Our Worst Fears Have Come to Pass

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

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Sadly, our worst fears have come to pass. Officially published statistics show a rapid rise in new infections and deaths. On the morning of June 15th, the New Vision newspaper reported an addition of 1,122 cases. The number of deaths is difficult to track. The situation seems to be worse than reported, given the many death announcements by families. As of yesterday, we as a family have lost three members due to COVID-19.

In the World With COVID-19: Saving Whatever Lives We Can

Written by Sister Jane Frances, Director of St. Francis Naggalama Hospital

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Greetings from St. Francis Naggalama Hospital during this extremely challenging time of the COVID-19 pandemic. Uganda is going through its second wave, which has not spared Naggalama Hospital. People and staff are sick. Hospital beds are full.

In the World With COVID-19: Pandemic Myths – African Style: Part I

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

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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.