Anne Deborah Atai Omoruto (22 November 1956 to 5 May 2016) was a Ugandan family physician, public health specialist, and academic. In 2014, she led a team of 12 Ugandan physicians as part of the World Health Organization's response to the Ebola outbreak in Liberia.[1]
Anne Atai Omoruto | |
|---|---|
| Born | 22 November 1956 Kumi District, Uganda |
| Died | 5 May 2016 (aged 59) |
| Alma mater | Dr. S.N. Medical College, Jodhpur (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) Makerere University (Master of Medicine in Internal Medicine) |
| Occupation(s) | Physician, researcher, academic |
| Years active | 1984–2016 |
| Known for | Medical practice and research |
| Title | Chairperson of Family Medicine Makerere University College of Health Sciences |
Background and education
editShe was born in Kumi District on November 22, 1956. She attended the Dr. S.N. Medical College, Jodhpur, in India, graduating with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degree. Later, she graduated from Makerere University School of Medicine with a Master of Medicine in internal medicine.[2][3]
Work experience
editAtai was the chairperson of the Department of Family Medicine at the Makerere University Medical School and concurrently served as the chair of the Department of Community Medicine at the Mulago National Referral Hospital.[3]
2014 Ebola outbreak
editIn July 2014, Omoruto was asked by the World Health Organization to respond to the Ebola crisis in Liberia. She brought with her a team of Ugandan health workers. Together they trained over one thousand Liberian works on the management of Ebola patients and protection against the disease.[2]
Illness and death
editAnne Atai Omoruto died on 5 May 2016 at the age of 59 years. The cause of death is reported as pancreatic cancer.[4][5]
Other considerations
editThe World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA) has established a scholarship in her name.[4] The Dr Atai Anne Deborah Omoruto Scholarship Award is available to African women family physician residents and practitioners, with limited means. The award enables the recipient to attend the biennial WONCA Conference.[6]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Vision Reporter (5 May 2016). "Ebola expert Dr. Atai Omoruto dies of cancer". New Vision. Kampala. Archived from the original on 7 May 2016. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
- ^ a b MacDougall, Clair (10 May 2016). "Anne Deborah Atai-Omoruto, Who Helped Lead Ebola Fight in Liberia, Dies at 59". The New York Times. New York City. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
- ^ a b Carol Natukunda, and Emmanuel Luganda, Violet Nabatanzi (6 May 2016). "Dr. Atai: Defiant in the face of death". New Vision. Kampala. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b Global Family Doctor (May 2021). "Remembering Atai on 5th Death Anniversary". Globalfamilydoctor.com. Brussels, Belgium. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
- ^ New Vision (5 May 2016). "Ebola expert Dr. Atai Omoruto dies of cancer". New Vision. Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
- ^ Dr Shabir Moosa, MMed, MBA, PhD (5 May 2021). "The Dr Atai Anne Deborah Omoruto Scholarship Award". Profmoosa.com. South Africa. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)