Infectious Diseases Management Course 20th to 24th June 2016

INFECTIOUS DISEASES MANAGEMENT COURSE FOR FINAL YEAR STUDENTS

2

BACKGROUND

An ever increasing human population demands more livestock for food and animal products, along with more land and water to support both livestock and human populations in areas where land and water are limited, the pressure and competition for those resources from human, livestock and wildlife populations highlights a complex global challenge.

This interface, interaction and interconnectedness between populations is theorized to be one of the main drivers increasing risk of emerging diseases by contributing to emergence, amplification and globalization of infectious agents. This is the reason why Rwanda is considered by World Health Organization as a hotspot for emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.

Based on this fact, OHCEA strives to create a critical mass of cadres who are able to effectively respond to these outbreaks. Akagera National Park is not new to pressures and challenges. The park follows the Eastern border of Rwanda with Tanzania, and is surrounded by a military camp, and some of the most fertile pasture and cattle grazing land in the country.

Under the auspices of the One Health Central and Eastern Africa (OHCEA) /One Health Workforce project, the one week Infectious Diseases Management (IDM) training for final year students started from 20th to 24th June, 2016 at the University of Rwanda , Nyagatare Campus. The theme of the Training was “Fostering interdisciplinary collaboration among the future One Health Workforce”

The Theme of the Training was “Fostering interdisciplinary collaboration among the future One Health Workforce”

Faculty from the University of Rwanda’s College of Agriculture, Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine (CAVM) and College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS) facilitated the training.

It was an exciting week in that we were privileged to receive a team of faculty from the University of Nairobi and Moi University from Kenya. They chose to come to Rwanda to have firsthand information on how the University of Rwanda One Health Students Club has been able to attain all the successes talked about in the entire network. The Network consists of 7 schools of Veterinary Medicine and 7 Schools of Public Health from Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Democratic Republic of the Congo.

3

Faculty from University of Nairobi and Moi University listening attentively and also taking part in the activities

In his opening remarks, as the host Dean, the Dean of School of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Martin Ntawubizi, welcomed final year students and facilitators in Nyagatare and especially at the University of Rwanda-Nyagatare Campus. He encouraged students to take the course seriously for the benefit of the Country and for their own benefit.

Dean Martin Ntawubizi delivering his speech

In his remarks, Dr. James Gashumba, the Coordinator of the Campus was happy to note that this was a very important training that students must take seriously. He pointed out that emerging infectious diseases are on the rise and there is a critical need to train people who will be able to respond to those outbreaks. He also noted that apparently every few years there is at least one disease popping up into the international media, for example the recent Zika virus outbreak in Brazil and other countries.

4

Dr. James Gashumba delivering his comments

The training focused on One Health Approaches to infectious Diseases Management. The focal person of OHCEA-Rwanda, Dr. Robert KIBUUKA, informed students and staff that this training is a continuous event that will always bring together students finalizing their courses in various departments so that they are trained to become One Health champions as they enter the world of work.

This training brought together 150 final year students from the University of Rwanda from their various Departments, Programs and Campuses (Nyagatare, Nyarugenge, Nyamishaba and Huye). These programs included General Medicine, Wildlife and Aquatic Resources Management, Zoology, General Nursing, Biotechnology, Clinical Medicine, Environmental Health and Epidemiology, Nutrition and Dietetics and students from department of Veterinary Medicine.

One Health approaches recognize that human health, animal health and ecosystem health are inextricably linked and that collaboration across sectors is needed to achieve more rapid, mutually beneficial and effective responses.

Role plays were a key feature in this training where different diseases were assigned to different groups and requested to demonstrate right from transmission, clinical signs and prevention and control. These diseases included Rabies, Schistosomiasis, Ebola, Brucellosis, Tuberculosis, Rift Valley Fever and Malaria among others.

Role plays were very exciting and students liked them most, because they offered them an opportunity to understand the problem rather than the usual class approaches (Lectures)

5

that encourages cram work. It was in form of Problem Based Learning (PBL). Students from other disciplines realized the importance of working in multidisciplinary teams and they appreciated the role played by each in case of an outbreak. Leadership and team building skills were exhibited.

Students doing their role play during the training mimicking disease outbreaks and response

In order to clearly understand the ecosystem, a field trip to the Nyagatare rice scheme was organized. Students in their multidisciplinary teams were able to identify some of the public health challenges that needed to be addressed. These include herbicide and pesticide pollution in water, Schistosomiasis, land degradation, malaria to the surrounding communities among others.

Students and faculty visiting Nyagatare Rice Scheme

6

Exciting guest speakers from different organs of government responsible for disease surveillance were invited as guest speakers to give talks to students on how they work. These guests include Dr. Jose Nyamusore the Division Manager Surveillance in Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) and Dr. Isidore Gafarasi the Director of Veterinary Services in Rwanda Agricultural Board (RAB).

Top Left and Right, Dr. Jose Nyamusore and Dr. Isidore Gafarasi engaging students on disease surveillance and Preparedness

Students’ Voice

In her words, she said: “As a medical student, she never thought that a Medical Doctor at some point may need a veterinarian or an Environmentalist”. This was to highlight the role of multidisciplinary collaboration in the management of Health Threats.

Peace Kakibibi (Final year Medical student) giving a speech on behalf of fellow students

7

Closure of the IDM Training for Final Year students

Dr. Laetitia NYINAWAMWIZA, Principal UR-CAVM, highlighted that it is her pleasure to be among the OHCEA family and glad to be a member of the UR-One Health Students Club. She thanked the VC, Prof. Phillip Cotton who sent her to represent him on this important function. She noted that when she hears of One Health, she understands the role the academia has to play, that is, to develop a future One Heath Workforce with the potential to respond to future disease outbreaks such as Ebola, Marburg, Zika, etc. She noted that, Rwanda is considered by World Health Organization (WHO) as a hotspot for emerging pandemic threats. She reminded us of the recent devastating outbreak of Ebola in West Africa where thousands of people lost their lives and the affected countries were brought down to their knees. She pledged total support to One Health initiative in Rwanda.

Dr. Laetitia Nyinawamwiza the Pricincipal of College of Agriculture, Animal sciences and Veterinary Medicine giving her closing remarks on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Philip Cotton

Dr. Laetitia also congratulated students who completed the five days training. However, she expressed her disappointment with the behavior manifested by some students who gave up on the very first day and reminded students that they are solvers of health problems in Rwanda and therefore should act like INTORE as they have always been trained.

She ended her speech by informing members present that on behalf of the Vice chancellor the University of Rwanda is ready to support such initiatives that contribute to capacity building of the future One Health Workforce and requested all participants to “Make sure that the upcoming One Health Center of Excellence shines.

8

Certificate Award

At the Closing day of the Training, the students were awarded certificates of the course that certified them as individuals capable and ready to manage infectious diseases.

Certificates were awarded by the Principal of the UR-CAVM Dr. Laetitia NYINAWAMWIZA.

Students pose for a photo with Faculty and Dr. Laetitia Nyinawamwiza, the principal of the College of Agriculture, Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine

One of the highlights of the occasion was the launch of the One Health song which was composed by one of the One Health Students Club members. This song will be modified with African beats and a video made out of it. This song may be adopted as the One Health anthem at an opportune time. We thank very much the student who came up with this initiative. The song is currently available in its audio form. RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Institutionalization of One Health by incorporating this concept in all programs of UR.

2. Ensure collaboration with other Universities locally and internationally on the One Health agenda

Article compiled by Dr Robert Kibuuka