In Uganda’s ongoing battle against mpox and Ebola outbreaks, a few names have stood out for their exceptional dedication and resilience. Kemirembe Maria Goretti is one such individual. For 10 years, Maria has been a driving power in Uganda’s public health landscape, dedicated to empowering communities with the data and resources they want to give protection to themselves against disease outbreaks. As a health worker, she has been at the forefront of various public health challenges, building confidence, promoting early detection, and strengthening community engagement.
Since the emergence of Ebola, Maria’s goal has turn into even more critical. She has labored tirelessly to raise awareness, encourage early symptom reporting, and bridge the gap of believe between the public and healthcare techniques.
In emergencies, such as an Ebola outbreak, fear and misinformation spread rapidly, making it challenging to place into effect effective control measures. Maria has been a pillar of power during these occasions, understanding that an effective outbreak response is about medical interventions, nevertheless also clear communication and building believe within communities.
From crowded marketplaces to distant villages, she strikes tirelessly, speaking with families, dispelling fears, and emphasizing the importance of seeking care early care and following preventive measures.
“In my work, I have seen how fear can drive people away from hospitals,” Maria explains. “When people don’t understand the disease or feel unsure about the healthcare system, they hesitate to report symptoms. That’s why my role is to encourage early care and strengthen confidence in our health services.”
Within hours of the Ebola outbreak official declaration on 30 January 2025, Maria was on the frontlines. She works with affected districts to make certain that that critical information reaches each family, leading community dialogues and helping to establish early warning techniques that ensures health staff track and manage cases more effectively.
Maria’s impact extends past medical care; her ability to change attitudes towards disease prevention and treatment has saved fairly a few lives. Her presence reassures communities that they are no longer alone and that dedicated professionals are ready to aid them during outbreaks.
Beyond Ebola, Maria has been instrumental in supporting various outbreaks, empowering communities with accurate information and advocating for stronger health techniques that prioritize grassroots engagement.
The World Health Organization has been a key partner, collaborating with health staff care for Maria to make stronger Uganda’s emergency response and surveillance capacities, ensuring that frontline responders are well-equipped to combat threats care for Ebola.
“For me, every outbreak is an opportunity to educate, empower, and build resilience,” Maria says. “Outbreaks will come and go, but the trust we build in our communities will have a lasting impact.”
