Makerere University Partners with UNSA in Conducting COVID-19 Detection & Management Training for Medical Finalists

Makerere University, through the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB), has undertaken a three day training for over 70 Biomedical Laboratory Technology finalist students to equip them with skills to handle the testing, management and handling of COVID 19 cases.

This training in the detection of COVID 19 using Rapid Detection kits has been conducted in light of the campaign by the Uganda National Students Association (UNSA) aimed at avoiding a surge of  COVID 19 cases in schools ahead of the opening of schools next week.

“We hope that the training will provide the needed skills set to personnel to be deployed  in detecting cases of COVID 19 in the Schools” said Prof. Samuel Majalija (Deputy Principal, COVAB) at the  launch of  the training held in the Biomedical Laboratory at CoVAB.

Professor Majalija further noted that the training was being supervised by the Ministry of Health and conducted by competent technologists certified by the Africa Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM) and he was optimistic that the trainees would be equipped fully and the would also deliver as expected.

It is expected that by the end of the campaign, CoVAB will have trained 2000 volunteers drawn from a number of medical laboratory training institutions in the country.

Essentially, the campaign is aimed at complementing government efforts in ensuring that schools remain open.  Additionally, the other planned interventions will include psychosocial support to students, advocacy and publicity.

The launch of this undertaking was witnessed by other stakeholders in the campaign that included Mothers Union, Fathers Union, Scripture Union, Uganda Girl Guides and Scouts Associations, Muslim Women Association, Muslim Students Association, Contort Foundation and Women Vision among others.

It will be recalled that according to the Ministry of Education and Sports, schools are set to open on the 10^th of January 2022 and it is hoped that this intervention by COVAB and UNSA will go a long way in ensuring the safety of the staff and students in the institutions of learning.