In 2013, with funding from USAID, the Africa One Health University Network (AFROHUN) – OHCEA then- of which Makerere University is a member initiated the One Health Field Experiential Learning (OHFEL). The program aims at enhancing students’ knowledge and competencies in applying a collaborative multisectoral approach and find solutions to pressing health challenges in communities. The 1st Cohort of One Health Field Experiential Learning comprised 46 students from a diverse range of disciplines.
The One Health Field Experiential Learning (OHFEL) is a short student-centered field learning experience that is geared towards enhancing student’s knowledge and vision on managing community health challenges. The program is offered by Makerere University: College of Health Sciences, School of Public Health and College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity through the Africa One Health University Network.
According to Ms. Angella Musewa- the AFROHUN- Uganda Country Manager, the training brings together students from diverse professional backgrounds to learn and practice together and employ the One Health approach to identify and implement solutions to community health challenges.
“We convene lawyers, doctors, environmentalists, veterinarians, social workers, development economists, journalism and communication students, agriculturalists, and students from other disciplines with a focus on grooming and mentoring them on the relevance of approaching complex health challenges from multidisciplinary perspectives,” she said.
Ms. Musewa also noted that the vigorous training nurtures students’ ability to identify, assess and prioritize any health challenges when they engage with communities. “We envision a joint students task force that is ready to positively impact their communities through sharing, insights, knowledge, ideas and experiences. Each student is given a platform to contribute to solution development bringing in competencies from their areas of specialization,” she noted.
This year -2021 -a total of 53 students were enrolled on the One Health Field Experiential Learning program under AFROHUN. According to the Selection Committee that was chaired by Dr. Peninah Nsamba, the selection process began in June 2021 with updating and approval of recruitment tools as well as a call for application through media. Successful applicants were short listed and interviewed.
The selection of students was done in collaboration with the faculty facilitating the Makerere University One Health Institute. Successful students were chosen on a competitive basis, ensuring multi-disciplinarily and gender representation.
The One Health Field Experiential Learning that was held from 26th July- 6th August 2021, commenced with a theoretical training on the principles of One Health that was conducted virtually using the Makerere University E-Learning Environment (MUELE) and zoom. In these sessions, students were introduced to; Leadership in Infectious Disease Management, Gender and Associated Risk Management, Outbreak Investigation and Emergency Response, Bio-Risk Management, Antimicrobial Resistance and Health Policy and Analysis. Other Modules included: Community Engagement and Introduction to Field Experiential Learning.
“Like 2020, the challenge of the global COVID-19 pandemic required changes in the way we implemented the OHFEL activities in 2021. The One Health Field Experiential Learning (TOFEL) guide was therefore useful with reference to the modifications imposed by the COVID-19 global pandemic situation,” noted Sarah Nitumusiima- Administrator, AFROHUN -Uganda Office.
2021 students’ community engagements
Upon completion of the theoretical training, students were grouped into three teams; Team Curfew, Team Lockdown and Team Essential). These were deployed in their respective communities across the country. According to the Field Coordinator Dr. Ronald Nuwamanya, a favorable representation of students undertaking field trainings was reached with over ten (10) districts covered.
“We had students in Kayunga, Mukono, Kampala, Wakiso, Jinja, Pallisa, Fort Portal, Kiryandongo, Gulu, Amolatar, Sironko, Luweero, and Ngora districts,” he mentioned.
He was happy about the strong reception students received from communities as well as support from local community leaders, mostly Local Council Chairpersons. Flavia Nalujja, a fresh graduate with a bachelor’s degree of Environmental Health noted that her Local Council 1 Chairperson Mr. Ssematimba Kizito was very key to her community entry process.
“At first, the community was not that receptive, and this could be attributed to COVID 19 fears and the total lockdown period. However, I was able to move door-to-door with Mr. Ssematimba who ensured that we convince the community to be part of the project. With his support, I was successful.”
In the field, students undertook various health-related activities which included challenge detection and identification and development of practical solutions, developing and executing of community interventions as well as evaluating the activities and interventions for outcome and impact. Some of these interventions include community health awareness and education campaigns, waste management, water resource protection, among others.
In an interview with Proscovia Nabatte (Makerere University PR Office), Dr. Saphan Muzoora, one of the field supervisors acknowledged the effortless dedication by students to their work. “The ideas and community solutions formulated by students and community members were amazing, with strong interventions such as using food to reverse Antimicrobial resistance in our bodies, using black soldier flies to manage massive organic waste among food processing companies, enhancing knowledge on the risk factors of COVID-19 among home attendants”, he said.
What students say about the training
Students welcomed the training as an incubator program for students’ ideas and innovation on solving One Health challenges. According to Evelyne Nagawa, the training tested her ability to define the kind of communities to engage when solving specific problems. Achom Belinda described the One Health Field Experiential Learning as a platform upon which she challenged her leadership skills.
“Getting close and engaging community members, I have been challenged to take up leadership in my community as a public administrator. The training has also enabled me to put into practice what I have been learning in school. To AFROHUN, I am forever grateful,” she remarked.
“I thank USAID, AFROHUN and partners for considering me for this fellowship. As a student of nursing, I have been always concentrating on humans at health centers, However, through this training I have been trained to save lives from a multi-disciplinary perspective of community engagement,” said Mbulaka Remmy Allan, a student at Uganda Christian University-Mukono, pursuing a BSc. Nursing.
Community embracing community engagement process
The training was equally embraced by communities. Community members in Kisoga village, Mukono district were delighted to learn how they can use food to reverse the trend and effects of antimicrobial resistance. Mr. Kasolo Moses, a member of Katikamu, Luweero district applauded the idea of instigating a spirit of giving back to communities among students. “We are happy to see that our own children are mobilizing us for a community cause “Bulungi Bwansi”.
Background about One Health
One Health is a collaborative undertaking, utilizing multidisciplinary and multi-sectoral, approaches, locally, regionally, nationally, and globally, to achieve optimal health for people, animals, environment and their ecosystems. The One Health approach has been implemented by many governments and agencies and institutions to achieve global and national health security. In doing so, many countries, including Uganda, international organizations, civil society and other stakeholders are able to meet the objectives of the Global Security Agenda (GHSA), which is a commitment to securing the world against public health threats.
With funding from USAID, through AFROHUN, Makerere University, through the One Health Institute (OHI) has carried out several trainings to enhance the capacity of students in identification, investigation, responding to and managing Global Health challenges, through various channels, such as a field attachment/ Experiential learning to facilitate hands on learning through community service.