Implications of COVID-19 pandemic and response approaches in Uganda: Stakeholder perspectives
Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic significantly impacted health systems worldwide. Aim: This study explored the effects of the COVID-19 cascade on health programmes in Uganda. Setting: This study conducted in-depth interviews with key informants involved in Uganda’s nati...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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AOSIS
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Journal of Public Health in Africa |
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| Online Access: | https://publichealthinafrica.org/index.php/jphia/article/view/697 |
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| author | Moses Ocan Josephine Bayigga Adelline Twimukye Hellen Nansiiro Daphine Sanger Mordecai Tayebwa Boniconsilli Tusiime Maureen Katusiime Daniel Kyabayinze Benon Kwesiga Henry K. Bosa Leah Mbabazi Tonny Muwonge Brenda N. Simbwa Francis Kakooza Mosoka P. Fallah Alex R. Ario |
| author_facet | Moses Ocan Josephine Bayigga Adelline Twimukye Hellen Nansiiro Daphine Sanger Mordecai Tayebwa Boniconsilli Tusiime Maureen Katusiime Daniel Kyabayinze Benon Kwesiga Henry K. Bosa Leah Mbabazi Tonny Muwonge Brenda N. Simbwa Francis Kakooza Mosoka P. Fallah Alex R. Ario |
| author_sort | Moses Ocan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic significantly impacted health systems worldwide.
Aim: This study explored the effects of the COVID-19 cascade on health programmes in Uganda.
Setting: This study conducted in-depth interviews with key informants involved in Uganda’s national COVID-19 response.
Methods: A cross-sectional exploratory study using qualitative approaches was carried out. A purposive sample of 30 key informants from the Ministry of Health (MoH) and implementing partners were interviewed (May 2023 – June 2023). Interviews were audio recorded and analysed using inductive thematic analysis with NVivo 14 software.
Results: Four themes emerged: (1) approaches and opportunities for successful COVID-19 response, (2) negative impacts of the pandemic on health services, (3) barriers to implementing response strategies and (4) suggestions for preparedness for future epidemics.
Conclusion: While the pandemic disrupted health programmes and access to care, it also revealed opportunities to strengthen healthcare delivery. Strengthening the dedicated Ministry of Health department for epidemic preparedness and response is recommended.
Contribution: This study identifies areas for improvement in Uganda’s health system exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. It informs public health preparedness efforts in Uganda and other African countries, aligning with the Journal’s focus on strengthening health systems in Africa. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-921dcbcce600472ea6d0dd2c397cf726 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2038-9922 2038-9930 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | AOSIS |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Public Health in Africa |
| spelling | doaj-art-921dcbcce600472ea6d0dd2c397cf7262025-08-20T03:48:52ZengAOSISJournal of Public Health in Africa2038-99222038-99302025-03-01161e1e810.4102/jphia.v16i1.697816Implications of COVID-19 pandemic and response approaches in Uganda: Stakeholder perspectivesMoses Ocan0Josephine Bayigga1Adelline Twimukye2Hellen Nansiiro3Daphine Sanger4Mordecai Tayebwa5Boniconsilli Tusiime6Maureen Katusiime7Daniel Kyabayinze8Benon Kwesiga9Henry K. Bosa10Leah Mbabazi11Tonny Muwonge12Brenda N. Simbwa13Francis Kakooza14Mosoka P. Fallah15Alex R. Ario16Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, KampalaInfectious Diseases Institute, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, KampalaInfectious Diseases Institute, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, KampalaDepartment of Grants, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, KampalaDepartment of Health Policy and Management, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, KampalaDepartment of Grants, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, KampalaDepartment of Grants, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, KampalaDepartment of Public Health, Faculty of Disease Prevention, Ministry of Health, KampalaDepartment of Clinical Services, Clinical Faculty, Ministry of Health, KampalaDepartment of Clinical Services, Clinical Faculty, Ministry of Health, KampalaClinical Department, Faculty of Disease Prevention, Ministry of Health, KampalaInfectious Diseases Institute, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, KampalaInfectious Diseases Institute, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, KampalaDepartment of Epidemiology, Uganda National Institute of Public Health, Ministry of Health, KampalaInfectious Diseases Institute, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, KampalaDepartment of Epidemiology, Faculty of Disease Prevention, Africa Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, Addis AbabaDepartment of Epidemiology, Uganda National Institute of Public Health, Ministry of Health, KampalaBackground: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic significantly impacted health systems worldwide. Aim: This study explored the effects of the COVID-19 cascade on health programmes in Uganda. Setting: This study conducted in-depth interviews with key informants involved in Uganda’s national COVID-19 response. Methods: A cross-sectional exploratory study using qualitative approaches was carried out. A purposive sample of 30 key informants from the Ministry of Health (MoH) and implementing partners were interviewed (May 2023 – June 2023). Interviews were audio recorded and analysed using inductive thematic analysis with NVivo 14 software. Results: Four themes emerged: (1) approaches and opportunities for successful COVID-19 response, (2) negative impacts of the pandemic on health services, (3) barriers to implementing response strategies and (4) suggestions for preparedness for future epidemics. Conclusion: While the pandemic disrupted health programmes and access to care, it also revealed opportunities to strengthen healthcare delivery. Strengthening the dedicated Ministry of Health department for epidemic preparedness and response is recommended. Contribution: This study identifies areas for improvement in Uganda’s health system exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. It informs public health preparedness efforts in Uganda and other African countries, aligning with the Journal’s focus on strengthening health systems in Africa.https://publichealthinafrica.org/index.php/jphia/article/view/697covid-19key stakeholderpandemicugandaimplication |
| spellingShingle | Moses Ocan Josephine Bayigga Adelline Twimukye Hellen Nansiiro Daphine Sanger Mordecai Tayebwa Boniconsilli Tusiime Maureen Katusiime Daniel Kyabayinze Benon Kwesiga Henry K. Bosa Leah Mbabazi Tonny Muwonge Brenda N. Simbwa Francis Kakooza Mosoka P. Fallah Alex R. Ario Implications of COVID-19 pandemic and response approaches in Uganda: Stakeholder perspectives Journal of Public Health in Africa covid-19 key stakeholder pandemic uganda implication |
| title | Implications of COVID-19 pandemic and response approaches in Uganda: Stakeholder perspectives |
| title_full | Implications of COVID-19 pandemic and response approaches in Uganda: Stakeholder perspectives |
| title_fullStr | Implications of COVID-19 pandemic and response approaches in Uganda: Stakeholder perspectives |
| title_full_unstemmed | Implications of COVID-19 pandemic and response approaches in Uganda: Stakeholder perspectives |
| title_short | Implications of COVID-19 pandemic and response approaches in Uganda: Stakeholder perspectives |
| title_sort | implications of covid 19 pandemic and response approaches in uganda stakeholder perspectives |
| topic | covid-19 key stakeholder pandemic uganda implication |
| url | https://publichealthinafrica.org/index.php/jphia/article/view/697 |
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