WHO Gives Uganda Shs3.6bn Supplies for Ebola Treatment and Isolation Units

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has donated supplies worth USD995,000 (about Shs3.6bn) plus airfare to the Ministry of Health.

The supplies are meant to equip the new Ebola Treatment Unit (ETU) at Mulago Hospital and Ebola isolation units in Masaka and Jinja districts.

The contribution from the United Kingdom, Sweden and Luxembourg governments included incinerators, generators, tents and flooring.

“Well-designed and equipped ETUs to improve the chance of patient’s survival. These supplies will go a long way in improving the perception and actual quality of care offered to patients in the event of more Ebola cases in the country,” said Dr Charles Njuguna, Incident Manager at WHO.

WHO has been working closely with the Ministry of Health and organisations on the ground since the beginning of the outbreak.

“On behalf of WHO, I welcome the continued collaboration from partners,” he added.

“Through the International Humanitarian Partnership network, the Luxembourg government is able to contribute to this multinational operation by providing equipment and logistics support in the context of the Ebola outbreak in Uganda,” said Max Lamesch, Director for Humanitarian Action, MFEA Luxembourg.

“This equipment is timely to strengthen our Ebola preparedness and response activities in the country. Some of it will be sent to equip the newly commissioned 32-bed treatment unit in Mulago,” said Health Minister, Dr Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero.

She added: “We appreciate all our partners for the continued support.”

The UK embassy in Kampala said this follows over UGX10bn of funding to UN Agencies and partners supporting the response and deployment of three experts into WHO.

Earlier, Dr Aceng commissioned the new Ebola Treatment Unit at Mulago Playgrounds, Mulago National Referral Hospital.

The ETU was constructed with support from Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders and other partners.