Health
Uganda slams 'unfair' Ebola air travel restrictions
With only two deaths out of 19 confirmed cases since the alarm was sounded in the DRC in mid-May, Uganda's response to the latest outbreak of the deadly haemorrhagic fever has been broadly praised by public health officials worldwide.
Dr Chris Baryomunsi, the Minister of Health, acknowledging receipt of a consignment worth sh755m from International Organization for Migration (IOM) to enhance public health surveillance and early outbreak detection. (Courtesy)
By: Admin ., Journalist @New Vision
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Uganda has criticised air travel restrictions imposed by countries including the United States over an Ebola outbreak which has spilt over from the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo as "unfair".
With only two deaths out of 19 confirmed cases since the alarm was sounded in the DRC in mid-May, Uganda's response to the latest outbreak of the deadly haemorrhagic fever has been broadly praised by public health officials worldwide.
Almost all of the victims are Congolese nationals who had crossed the border from their home country, where more than 676 cases have been confirmed, and 136 people have died since May 15.
"Today, the Ugandan Health Ministry, together with the Civil Aviation Authority, Ambassadors, and airline operators serving Uganda, discussed the unfair travel restrictions imposed on Uganda due to the current Ebola situation," Dr Diana Atwine, permanent secretary for the health ministry, said on X on Friday, June 12.
"While we appreciate the need for vigilance, blanket restrictions undermine confidence in countries that report outbreaks openly, and are not commensurate with the actual risk.
Uganda has been transparent from the outset, promptly sharing information and implementing robust measures that have consistently prevented the exportation of Ebola cases beyond our borders.
While we appreciate the need for vigilance, blanket restrictions undermine confidence in countries that report outbreaks openly and are not commensurate with the actual risk. We thank the countries and airline operators that have kept their borders and routes open, demonstrating confidence in Uganda’s evidence-based public health measures," Atwine 's post further reads.
Besides the United States, Canada and the United Arab Emirates are among the countries to have imposed entry bans on travellers from Uganda, the DRC and neighbouring South Sudan as a result of the outbreak.
While the World Health Organisation's chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised Kampala's strategy on a visit to Uganda on Monday, the United Nations health agency warned on Friday that the outbreak was spreading to new areas in the neighbouring DRC.
No vaccine nor specific treatment exists for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola responsible for the latest outbreak, the 17th to hit the vast central African country.
"While we appreciate the need for vigilance, blanket restrictions undermine confidence in countries that report outbreaks openly, and are not commensurate with the actual risk.
International Organization for Migration (IOM)'s Chief of Mission in Uganda Sanusi Tejan delivering to Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, the Minister of Health, a consignment worth sh755m to enhance public health surveillance and early outbreak detection. (Courtesy)
Uganda has been transparent from the outset, promptly sharing information and implementing robust measures that have consistently prevented the exportation of Ebola cases beyond our borders.
While we appreciate the need for vigilance, blanket restrictions undermine confidence in countries that report outbreaks openly and are not commensurate with the actual risk. We thank the countries and airline operators that have kept their borders and routes open, demonstrating confidence in Uganda’s evidence-based public health measures," Atwine 's post further reads.
Besides the United States, Canada and the United Arab Emirates are among the countries to have imposed entry bans on travellers from Uganda, the DRC and neighbouring South Sudan as a result of the outbreak.
While the World Health Organisation's chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised Kampala's strategy on a visit to Uganda on Monday, the United Nations health agency warned on Friday that the outbreak was spreading to new areas in the neighbouring DRC.
No vaccine nor specific treatment exists for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola responsible for the latest outbreak, the 17th to hit the vast central African country.
Spread by close contact and infected bodily fluids, the disease has killed more than 15,000 people in Africa over the past 50 years.
Meanwhile, several international bodies have in the recent past given support to Uganda to support different activities to combat the spread of Ebola.
On Friday, June 12, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) supported by the United States government, handed over to the Ministry of Health equipment to strengthen traveller health checks and bolster early disease detection at Entebbe International Airport.
The support package is valued at approximately US$199,000 (sh755 million) to enhance public health surveillance and early outbreak detection.
The consignment unveiled by the IOM Chief of Mission in Kampala, Sanusi Tejan, was presented to Dr Chris Baryomunsi, the Minister of Health.
Dignitaries at the event held at Entebbe International Airport included Dr Atwine, the US Deputy Ambassador Jessica Healey, the UN Resident Coordinator Leonard Zulu and Olive Lumonya, the deputy director of Uganda Civil Aviation Authority.
The package includes: Thermal Scanners: 3 Sentry MK IV thermal scanners for rapid traveller screening, a multipurpose tent equipped with the necessary furniture to establish a safe holding area for suspected cases, plus 60 automated hand sanitiser dispensers to maintain hygiene and prevent disease transmission.
Meanwhile, several international bodies have in the recent past given support to Uganda to support different activities to combat the spread of Ebola.
On Friday, June 12, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) supported by the United States government, handed over to the Ministry of Health equipment to strengthen traveller health checks and bolster early disease detection at Entebbe International Airport.
The support package is valued at approximately US$199,000 (sh755 million) to enhance public health surveillance and early outbreak detection.
The consignment unveiled by the IOM Chief of Mission in Kampala, Sanusi Tejan, was presented to Dr Chris Baryomunsi, the Minister of Health.
Dignitaries at the event held at Entebbe International Airport included Dr Atwine, the US Deputy Ambassador Jessica Healey, the UN Resident Coordinator Leonard Zulu and Olive Lumonya, the deputy director of Uganda Civil Aviation Authority.
The package includes: Thermal Scanners: 3 Sentry MK IV thermal scanners for rapid traveller screening, a multipurpose tent equipped with the necessary furniture to establish a safe holding area for suspected cases, plus 60 automated hand sanitiser dispensers to maintain hygiene and prevent disease transmission.