SCOPUS

Photo Essay
Prof. Adesegun
Fatusi, MBChB, MPH,
FWACP, PhD (IMPH 1995)
Vice-Chancellor, University
of Medical Sciences, Ondo,
Nigeria
“In April, the Governor of Ondo
appointed me to the State’s
7-person COVID-19 Response Fund
Committee (RFC), which mobilizes
and manages funds to fight the
pandemic in Ondo, home to 3.5
million people.
In July, he appointed me to head the
state’s Inter-Ministerial Committee
(IMC), which monitors the rate of
contagion, coordinates the different
ministries’ responses, formulates
strategies and policies, and advises the
government.
I led the IMC in outlining a strategic
roadmap against the pandemic based
on scientific and evidence-based
approaches, along with community
education and engagement, and
enforcement of preventive measures.
The IMC worked with local and
international partners, including the
Nigerian Centre for Disease Control,
UNICEF, and the private sector.
Through the RFC and in partnership
with the IMC, the University of
Medical Sciences, UNICEF, and
the private sector, we established
three new isolation wards,
expanded the Infectious Diseases
Hospital, constructed a molecular
biology laboratory, obtained four
new ambulances, and purchased
equipment, including two ventilators.
Peter Waiswa, MBChB, IMPH, PhD (IMPH 2003)
Associate Professor, Makerere University, Uganda
“My specialty is health systems and policy with a
focus on reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and
adolescent health, and nutrition (RMNCAH/N). I
belong to an independent group advising the WHO
General Director on continuing these services during
the pandemic, with an emphasis on low- and middleincome
countries.
I also support the Ministry of Health by drawing upon
national data to develop evidence-based responses to
the pandemic. These include advocating for services,
advising stakeholders on ways to circumvent the virus’
effects, and conducting RMNCAH/H presentations
and training for districts and hospitals.
On the clinical side, I belong to an independent
advisory committee overseeing a Ugandan trial of
convalescent plasma transplants for COVID-19
patients.
All this has been possible by collaborating with
the Uganda Ministry of Health, the World Health
Organization, UNICEF, academia, other districts, and
civil society organizations.
My work has been influenced by two aspects of my
studies at the Hebrew University, namely communityoriented
primary care and epidemiology training.”
All this was possible because I am
recognized as a public health expert
– the foundation for my career was
provided by the IMPH program!”
Photo by Tom Magumba
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