Pesticidal Plants Used in Masaka District of Uganda

The use of synthetic pesticides in developing countries is limited by both the high cost of procuring them and predominance of subsistence holdings. Resultantly, many farmers have to rely on traditi onal methods of pest control. Among these is the use of pesticidal plant extracts and this paper reports on the fi ndings of a study that undertook to compile an inventory of plants that are used in pest control in one part of the developing world, namely, Masaka District of Uganda. The paper reports that the study found that thirty-six (36) plant species are used. Thirty-fi ve (3 ) of these were found to belong to twenty-one (21) families. The paper adds that, of these, the Asteraceae family is the most commonly used followed by the Solanaceae family. It was noted that although some of the plants are scienti fi cally well established (e.g. Azadirachta indica, Melia azedarach, and Tagetes minuta), a few are not well known (e.g. Euphorbia tirucalli, Bidens pilosa, Vernonia amygdalina), hence the need for research on them. Finally, it was established that some of the plants are increasingly rare, which highlights need for their conservati on. Key words: Pest Control; Pesticidal Plants; Indigenous Knowledg

Readiness of health facilities to manage individuals infected with COVID-19, Uganda, June 2021

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic overwhelmed the capacity of health facilities globally, emphasizing the need for readiness to respond to rapid increases in cases. The first wave of COVID-19 in Uganda peaked in late 2020 and demonstrated challenges with facility readiness to manage cases. The second wave began in May 2021. In June 2021, we assessed the readiness of health facilities in Uganda to manage the second wave of COVID-19. Methods Referral hospitals managed severe COVID-19 patients, while lower-level health facilities screened, isolated, and managed mild cases. We assessed 17 of 20 referral hospitals in Uganda and 71 of 3,107 lower-level health facilities, selected using multistage sampling. We interviewed health facility heads in person about case management, coordination and communication and reporting, and preparation for the surge of COVID-19 during first and the start of the second waves of COVID-19, inspected COVID-19 treatment units (CTUs) and other service delivery points. We used an observational checklist to evaluate capacity in infection prevention, medicines, personal protective equipment (PPE), and CTU surge capacity. We used the “ReadyScore” criteria to classify readiness levels as > 80% (‘ready’), 40–80% (‘work to do’), and < 40% (‘not ready’) and tailored the assessments to the health facility level. Scores for the lower-level health facilities were weighted to approximate representativeness for their health facility type in Uganda. Results The median (interquartile range (IQR)) readiness scores were: 39% (IQR: 30, 51%) for all health facilities, 63% (IQR: 56, 75%) for referral hospitals, and 32% (IQR: 24, 37%) for lower-level facilities. Of 17 referral facilities, two (12%) were ‘ready’ and 15 (88%) were in the “work to do” category. Fourteen (82%) had an inadequate supply of medicines, 12 (71%) lacked adequate supply of oxygen, and 11 (65%) lacked space to expand their CTU. Fifty-five (77%) lower-level health facilities were “not ready,” and 16 (23%) were in the “work to do” category. Seventy (99%) lower-level health facilities lacked medicines, 65 (92%) lacked PPE, and 53 (73%) lacked an emergency plan for COVID-19. Conclusion Few health facilities were ready to manage the second wave of COVID-19 in Uganda during June 2021. Significant gaps existed for essential medicines, PPE, oxygen, and space to expand CTUs. The Uganda Ministry of Health utilized our findings to set up additional COVID-19 wards in hospitals and deliver medicines and PPE to referral hospitals. Adequate readiness for future waves of COVID-19 requires additional support and action in Uganda