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Uganda Immunization Training Program
The Uganda Immunization Training Program (UITP) is a project to train mid-level immunization program personnel in Uganda using materials adapted from the World Health Organization (WHO). The program is a partnership between the Uganda Ministry of Health, Uganda National Expanded Program on Immunization (UNEPI), Makerere University School of Public Health, African Field Epidemiology Training Network, and the Task Force for Global Health. UITP is funded by a 4-year grant from the Merck Company Foundation. UITP works closely with the WHO country office and other development partners involved in immunization in Uganda.
Training Methodology:
UITP conducted cascade training in the first year. The trainers then trained district staff all over the country. The national trainers include staff from the Uganda Ministry of Health and UNEPI, faculty members from the Makere University School of Public Health, officials from UNICEF, WHO and Nursing school tutors. This training uses materials adapted from WHO/AFRO Mid-Level Management modules. Following the national level staff training, the project focused on training for mid-level managers from districts. Mid-level managers included the District Health Officers, EPI focal persons, District Health Visitors, cold chain assistants, Health Sub-District in-charges and HSD EPI focal persons from all districts in Uganda.
Objectives of the UITP Program:
- To enhance the knowledge and skills of EPI Managers at national and district levels in Vaccine and Immunization service Management
- To provide support supervision and follow up of trained EPI managers at national and district levels
- To disseminate EPI training curricula to medical, nursing and midwifery schools
- To provide materials for EPI training for middle and national level managers
- To establish a national EPI training database
The achievements of the UITP include:
- Organizing an immunization stakeholders’ meeting
- Reviewing and adapting training materials
- Participating in MVN-A network meeting
- Organizing a curriculum review meeting
- Organizing and conducting a National training.
- Operational level (OPL) training
- Cold Chain Training
- Participating in Polio Campaigns
Future Plans for this initiative:
- District and Health Sub-district MLM training to cover the whole country
- Immunization CME sessions
- Support supervision
- Operationalizing the training database