Kampala: Uganda has embarked on a groundbreaking nationwide initiative to strengthen its emergency care services, aiming to significantly reduce preventable deaths from acute illnesses and injuries. This effort, known as the Acute Care Transformation through Basic Emergency Care (ACTxBEC) Initiative, is a collaborative project spearheaded by the Ministry of Health with support from the World Health Organization (WHO), WHO Foundation, Laerdal Foundation, and other partners.
According to African Press Organization, the ACTxBEC Initiative seeks to enhance the capabilities of healthcare workers in identifying, assessing, and managing life-threatening conditions promptly and efficiently. This initiative is a response to the country's pressing need to improve emergency care, especially given the high rates of trauma-related emergencies, severe childhood pneumonia, postpartum hemorrhages, and road traffic injuries.
The initiative's core goal is to equip health workers across Uganda with the necessary skills and support to deliver timely and quality emergency care. By integrating self-paced online learning with practical training, team simulations, and ongoing mentorship, the program aims to build competence and confidence among healthcare providers. Over the next three years, the initiative will be implemented in 200 health facilities across 85 districts, impacting approximately 2,400 healthcare providers.
Uganda's growing burden of acute illnesses and injuries underscores the importance of effective emergency care. More than half of the 855.6 emergency cases per 100,000 population recorded in the 2024/25 financial year were trauma-related. Evidence from previous implementations of WHO's Basic Emergency Care (BEC) course in Uganda and other low- and middle-income countries has shown significant reductions in hospital mortality.
The ACTxBEC Initiative also aligns with Uganda's broader health objectives, including achieving Universal Health Coverage and enhancing health system resilience. By ensuring that emergency care systems are robust and capable, the initiative aims to improve preparedness for public health emergencies and contribute to overall health system strengthening.
The launch event, attended by government officials, health professionals, and development partners, highlighted the shared commitment to improving emergency care services. Dr. Charles Olaro, Director General for Health Services and Chair of the National Coordination Committee for the ACTxBEC initiative, emphasized the potential impact of well-managed emergency care in preventing poor outcomes.
Dr. Kasonde Mwinga, WHO Representative to Uganda, remarked on the transformative potential of strengthening emergency care systems, stating that the initiative is an investment in skills, systems, and teamwork essential for providing lifesaving care when it is needed most.
As Uganda moves forward with this ambitious project, the focus remains on ensuring that lifesaving skills and systems reach every health facility and patient in need, contributing to a more resilient health system and ultimately saving lives.