Article by Babirye Ruth Grace
The MUST OHCEA chapter was launched on the 19th October 2018 at the university’s Kihumuro Campus under the theme : “The Role of Students in One Health : Flagship for a Multidisciplinary Approach in African Universities.”
OHCEA (One Health Central and East Africa) is an international network of institutions of higher learning located in 16 universities in 8 countries in Eastern, Central and Western African region which partner with 2 universities in the United States; The University of Minnesota and Tufts University. This network recognizes that relations in the Human- Animal- Ecosystem health are inextricably linked and through multi-sectoral collaboration, there are more rapid, mutually beneficial and effective responses.
The OHCEA was initiated into the One Health Institute in April 2018 with a total of 80 students. Since then the chapter has had participation in the OHCEA activities such as the One Health Field Fellowship in Eastern Uganda, The Rift Valley Haemorrhagic Fever Talk, among other activities.
The launch was presided over by the Vice Chancellor of MUST, Prof. Celestino Obua; the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Associate Professor Gertrude Kiwanuka, who officially opened the event.
Invited guests were students from all Faculties at MUST, Bishop Stuart University, Makerere University Business School-Mbarara and The College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Bio-Security-Makerere.
The Guest of Honor was Dr Gladys Kalema the CEO and Founder of Conservation Through Public Health, and key note address was given by Professor Samuel Majalija the Deputy Principal of The College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Bio-Security-Makerere.
MUST is now officially one of the universities in the One Health Institute and a proud member of One Health Central and East Africa.
Special thanks to Dr. Joseph, the Deputy Dean of Faculty of Medicine who is also the focal person of OHCEA and Dr. Gad Ruzaaza, the patron of the association and the Head of the Community Based Education Research & Service program at MUST.
This event wouldn’t have been successful without the committed work of a team of officials of the association in MUST. Babirye Ruth Grace Kakoba the team leader, Kizza George William, Ndyamuhakyi Lynette, Muganzi David Jolly, Mulungi Jonathan, Kezimbira Simon Peter and Dr. Migisha Richard.
We acknowledge the MUST students that made it for the event.
One Health, One Life