Epidemics are likely to go up which necessitates African governments to prepare in order to effectively respond to the outbreaks.

The secretary general of Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS), Robert Kwesiga explained that the factors for the increase of epidemics are contained in a global disaster report of 2023 published by the International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC).

He was addressing delegates from 12 countries who are meeting in Kampala to develop cross border collaboration roadmap on preparedness and response to the epidemics outbreaks that have led to the loss of many lives on the African continent.

(L-R) The director of public health at the health ministry, Dr Daniel Kyabayinze, interacts with Nathan Baguma, the director of procurement at Uganda Red Cross Society and director human resource Orwin Tumuhirwe. (Photo by Francis Emorut)

The cross-border collaboration meeting attracted secretary generals of Red Cross in 12 countries and directors of different departments in the Red Cross fraternity.

He pointed out that cross-border collaboration is key to develop mechanisms that will reduce death fatality when pandemics strike.

Kwesiga outlined important areas on how to build capacity at national, country and regional levels in managing pandemics among them strengthening accountable systems in institutions, investing in human resource and strong leadership.

“We must have institutions that are accountable and robust accounting systems, procurement supply chain as well as strong leadership in governance and management that is when we can take charge in the management of epidemics,” Kwesiga said.

He observed that since epidemics are going to increase, he observed the need to strengthen cross border collaboration in response and preparedness to manage the outbreaks

He made remarks during the cross-border collaboration meeting on health at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala on Monday.

The cross-border meeting was organised by Uganda Red Cross Society with the main objective of developing a collective roadmap for cross-border collaboration on epidemics preparedness and response.

Delegates pose for a group photo during the cross border colloboration meeting on health at Speke Resort Munyonyo. (Photo by Francis Emorut)

The pandemics, the URCS secretary general cited that have hit the African continent and the globe at large are Ebola virus disease and Marburg virus disease.

The participants were drawn from Kenya, Tanzania, Kenya, South Sudan, DR Congo, Burundi, Rwanda, Comoros, Ethiopia, Uganda, Djibouti and Madagascar.

The head of delegation of International Federation Red Crescent (IFRC), Papa Mousa Tall, told the delegates that fostering a united approach is crucial in responding to epidemics.

He also supported community engagement approach and emphasized that management should take bottom-up approach in handling pandemic outbreaks.