Vector Control Division (VCD) was created in the early 1920’s to control malaria and malaria vectors especially in urban areas where there were non-immune colonial officers and imported Asian labourers. Available records show that VCD performed these functions competently, unraveling the malaria endemicity country-wide. As a result, VCD mandate was expanded to cover control and research on other vector borne diseases including Lymphatic Filariasis, Schistosomiasis, Onchocerciasis, human trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness), plague, tick and louse borne typhi and Leishmaniasis. The control of pests of public health importance (rats/fleas, bedbugs, cockroaches) also formed part of the VCD mandate. The expanded mandate demanded an expansion of both scientific and technical cadres. Thus Medical biologists (Entomologists, Parasitologists, ecotoxicologists and Epidemiologists), Medical Officers and technicians (Vector Control Officers) were recruited. At first, VCD was headed by a Senior Medical Entomologist, answerable to the Director of Medical Services. The Division was semi-autonomous, with its own vote. Today, the Division is Headed by an ACHS/VC assisted by a Principal Entomologist who overseas most of the technical issues. The Division has personnel in form of Vector Control Officers in more than 69 districts where they work as District local government employees under the District Health Office (DHO) and in Health Sub-districts.
From its inception, VCD relied entirely on Ministry of Health for all financial support. However, since mid 1990s, the Division started receiving support for research, disease control and capacity building from several collaborating institutions and international agencies including the Danish Bilharziasis Laboratory (DBL), London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Cambridge University, African Development Bank (through HSSP), European Union, Imperial College (UK), Hamamatsu University in Japan, WHO (AFRO), WHO (Geneva), DFID (UK), USAID/RTI, Carter Center Global 2000 River Blindness Programme, and the African Programme for Onchocerciasis Control (APOC) to mention but a few. As part of south to South collaboration, VCD collaborates very closely with several institutions in Kenya, Tanzania, Southern Sudan, Rwanda and Uganda.
As a result of this collaboration, VCD has been able to conduct and conclude several research projects, some of which have been translated into national disease control programmes. These include the Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (PELF), Schistosomiasis and Worm Control Programme, the National Sleeping Sickness Control Programme and the National Onchocerciasis Control Programme (NOCP) now under National Disease Control Department. From these programmes, Uganda receives free drugs worth millions of dollars annually. VCD’s diverse interests in research and control of vector borne diseases are evident from numerous publications in peer reviewed journals and the production of maps to show disease distribution and magnitude countrywide.
Through these investigations, the relative importance of the major vector borne diseases is well known. Malaria is known to be endemic throughout the country, probably with 95% of the population at risk. A population of more than 16 million people is estimated to be at risk of Schistosomiasis. Onchocerciasis threatens at least 2.7 million people countrywide. Lymphatic Filariasis is endemic in 28 districts, with about 10 million people at risk. Sleeping sickness is also widely distributed in Eastern, Northern and North western with about 4 million people exposed and with a potential of spreading to other regions. Plague threatens about 0.5 million people in North western whereas Leishmaniasis is endemic in North eastern, with 0.5 million people at risk.
PROGRAMMES RUN AT VCD
The following programme which earlier started as research projects with the dedicated staff and seal by the pioneer Ugandan Scientists and researchers to provide detailed information on the disease burden and epidemiology, have transformed into National Control Programme, which among others;
This enormous transformation into National Programmes, have been possible because of the Government Political will to Control/ eradicate NTDs in Uganda and dedicated/hard working Leadership of VCD and staffs.
Background of Vector Control Division Research Ethics Committee (VCDREC)
The Vector Control Division–Research and Ethics Review Committee (VCD-REC) was established in 2003. It is an REC that has been functioning under the supervision of Uganda National Council of Science and Technology (UNCST). The purpose of the REC is reviewing health research so as to contribute in safeguarding the dignity, rights, safety, and well being of all actual or potential research participants. The principles of “respect for the dignity of persons” require that each person should be treated as an independent entity, capable of making decisions about themselves and their personal aspirations. The VCD-REC has always tried to ensure that the principle of “justice” is observed. Although the goals of research are important, it unethical to allow it to override the health well being and care of research participants.
The need for the VCDREC arose out of volume of research in the specialized areas of vector borne diseases namely Lymphatic Filariasis, Onchocerciasis, Bilharzia, (Soil Transmitted Helminths) STH, sleeping sickness, etc. This has over the years grown to encompass Neglected Tropical Disease. Having realized the serious need for sound knowledge and practice regarding Ethical review for research proposals/protocols including clinical trials, members sought specialized training in the following areas: overall Ethics Review progress with dates and duration;
The VCDREC had a direct outcome of these trainings and the CDP have benefited from valuable literature materials which now form treasured references. Because of the tremendous experience gained and due to continuing demand from both local and international prominent researchers, VCD-REC has been championing the lead in the process of Research proposals/protocols in the area of vector borne diseases, Neglected tropical Diseases, Neglected Zoonotic diseases and public health in general in Uganda. For information on research and collaboration related to NTDs in Uganda
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