Anthony KiyimbaBBLT (MUK), MSc ICM (MUK) & Fellowship in Public Health Laboratory Leadership (UNIPH/MOH) Host Site: Ministry of Health, National Health Laboratory and Diagnostics Services
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ABOUT THE FELLOWAnthony Kiyimba is a laboratory leader and medical laboratory specialist. He holds a Master of Science degree in Immunology and Clinical Microbiology and a Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Laboratory Technology, both from Makerere University. He is interested in improving laboratory diagnostic services for infectious diseases and laboratory response to public health emergencies in the country. During the Laboratory Leadership fellowship training, Anthony was attached to the National Health Laboratories and Diagnostic Services (NHLDS), a department of laboratory services in the Ministry of Health where he is employed as a laboratory supervisor. NHLDS offers an oversight role to all medical laboratory services within the country. Such services include both public health and clinical health care management. The department also provides stewardship for the National Health Laboratory Network to guide disease prevention and health promotion in Uganda through early disease detection. During his in-service training, Anthony has attained knowledge, skills, and ability in coordinating laboratory disease outbreak investigations, emergency response and preparedness, scientific and non-scientific communication through writing manuscripts, newspaper articles, policy briefs, within bulletin articles, and conference presentations. Achievements at the Host Site– Participated in the conceptualization and drafting of the upcoming guidelines on Microbiological Environmental Sampling in Healthcare Settings, 2024. – Participated in training and mentorship of regional HIV drug resistance testing and treatment committees in Lango and Teso regions, especially on sample collection and HIV drug resistance results interpretation. Fellowship program specific achievements– Co-authored the first National Laboratory Guidelines for Preparedness and Response to Public Health Emergencies. – Led two disease outbreak investigations, with a laboratory focus ▪ Anthrax in Kyotera District ▪ Food poisoning, Nakanyonyi, Mukono District – Participated in six other disease outbreak investigations ▪ Anthrax in Ibanda District ▪ Rabies in Masaka District ▪ Cyanide poisoning in Kasese District Food poisoning in Rubanda District Cholera in Kayunga District ▪ Black Water Fever in Bukomansimbi District – Published an article in the New Vision on fast tracking mobile laboratory testing. Three are under institutional review. – Submitted additional two for publication in the Uganda Public Health Bulletin. – Served as an editorial team member for the Uganda Public Health Bulletin, volume 8, issue 1, Jan-March 2023. – Wrote seven manuscripts (three as lead author and four as co-author). These are undergoing institutional clearance. – Presented his work at three conferences (one international and two national) ▪ 8th World One Health Congress, Cape Town, South Africa ▪ 9th National Field Epidemiology Conference, Kampala, Uganda ▪ 10th National Field Epidemiology and 2nd National Laboratory Leadership Conference, Kampala, Uganda – Conducted a continuous improvement project to enhance utilization of the electronic inventory management in managing and ordering HIV/EID/Hep B laboratory supplies at the hubs in Uganda – Conducted a descriptive analysis of HIV viral load suppression trends among patients switched from Non-nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors to Dolutegravir-based therapy between 2019 and 2022 in Kampala, Uganda – Conducted a capstone project to assess knowledge, attitude, and practices among implementers of the regionalization approach in Laboratory Services delivery at the sub -national level in Uganda, 2024 Summary of Epidemiological Study:Title: Exploring Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices of Implementers of the Regionalization Approach in Laboratory Services at sub-national Level in Uganda, 2024 Background: In Uganda’s health sector specifically laboratory services, the regionalization approach mainly consists of the devolution of technical assistance, coordination, and oversight for implementation of National Health Laboratory and Diagnostic Services to the regional referral hospitals. It also involves consolidating resources for laboratory strengthening activities through the Department of National Health Laboratory Diagnostic Services. This was to enable sustainable strengthening of national laboratory services in the country through harmonization of packages provided, standardization of quality, efficiency, and better accountability of resources provided. This study assessed the implementers’ knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) about the regionalization approach at regional, and district levels in Uganda. Methods: We used a qualitative research method and conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews with selected implementers to explore the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of regional and district teams towards the regionalization program. They included 2 regional referral hospital directors, 3 regional hospital laboratory managers, 11 district laboratory focal persons, 6 district hospital laboratory managers, 6 laboratory technologists/technicians, 5 hub coordinators, and 2 implementing partner regional laboratory advisors. We purposefully selected participants from 12 districts from three health regions based on their critical role in the regionalization program. We also identified the enablers and challenges faced in regionalization. Results: Thirty-five (35) program implementers participated in the study. All (100%) were knowledgeable about the regionalization approach in laboratory service delivery and its intended outcomes. Thirty-one (89%) had participated in at least 4/8 (50%) laboratory-led functions under the regionalization program at either the regional or district level and demonstrated a positive attitude towards the program. The main enablers included trained personnel, supportive leadership at regional referral hospitals, effective coordination from both national and regional levels, communication and collaboration within the region, and implementing partners. The majorchallenge identified was the delay in receiving funds to implement planned quarterly activities. Conclusion:Regional and district implementers of the regionalization approach were knowledgeable about the program and its targeted outcomes. They demonstrated positive attitudes and practices with the program. We recommend sustaining identified enablers and addressing delays in releasing funds for activity implementation. Key lessons learnt during the fellowship– Coordination and leading laboratory response to public health emergencies/disease outbreaks – Utilization of operational laboratory and public health data for research studies – Scientific communications; abstracts, manuscript writing, and newspaper articles – Editorial and writing skills for scientific articles – Data management, analysis, and interpretation – Presentation skills and dissemination of findings – Designing and management of scientific and improvement projects – Networking and lobbying – Leadership and team management skills – Development of policy briefs for strengthening health systems Next StepsWith the skills and competencies gained, Anthony will coordinate and respond to any public health emergency and support strengthening of laboratory systems in Uganda and beyond. Pictorial
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