WHO Approves $5m for Regional Response Plan to Halt Ebola in Uganda

The World Health Organization has approved the release of $5 million to help curb the spread of Ebola in Uganda.

WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said in a virtual presentation at a conference on Wednesday that $2 million will cater for requirements in Uganda while the rest will go to the neighbouring countries to boost the level of preparedness.

“We are working with our partners to support the Ministry of Health by sending additional specialists, supplies and resources,” he noted.

According to Tedros, the outbreak is troubling but it’s not unexpected because of Uganda’s previous experience with Ebola and its proximity to Congo, which has recurring outbreaks.

“WHO and the Ministry of Health have been working together to prepare for an outbreak for some time,” he said.

Speaking at a High-level Emergency Meeting gathering Ministers of Health from 11 African countries to discuss Cross Border Collaboration for Preparedness and Response to Ebola Disease held in Entebbe, Dr Ahmed Ogwell, the Director Africa CDC, said proactive management of outbreaks is the best way to ensure an appropriate response in the event of an epidemic.

“This meeting aims to share our experiences from around the world and beyond to strengthen our response activities to make Africa a better place,” said Dr Ogwell.

According to Dr Matshidiso Moeti, World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, one of the crucial lessons Africa has learned from previous Ebola outbreaks is that by uniting, “we stay a step ahead of the virus”.

“Sharing information and resources is key to building a firewall and stopping the spread of infections,” she noted.

“One of the beautiful things about the first Ebola case in Uganda is that the patient raised awareness of suspicious deaths in Madudu sub-county in Mubende district before he died. This is the attitude we need in this response,” said Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, the Minister of Health.

Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja said since the beginning of the Ebola outbreak in Uganda, her office has been at the frontline of the response mobilizing and strengthening all structures of government to rapidly contain the spread of the virus.

“We have leveraged our internal resources, building on lessons learned and support from partners to invest in making our people safe. As we learned during COVID-19, we must respond together to have success,” she noted.