The Government of Uganda has received a boost in its fight against infectious diseases and pandemics with a donation of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) equipment worth shillings 263,438,000 million (euros 62,000).

The contribution aimed at strengthening disease surveillance capabilities was procured and distributed under the co-funded project by the European Union (EU) and the German government through the Federal Ministry of Economic Co-operation and Development (BMZ).

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) co-ordinated the handover of Information Technology (IT) equipment to Uganda's health ministry at Nakasero on February 28, 2024.

Implemented by GIZ, the project entitled "EU Digital Solutions to Strengthen Disease Surveillance and Monitoring Systems for COVID-19 in the IGAD Region," underscores the collaborative efforts driving this initiative.

The equipment was handed over by EU head of governance and social inclusion Nicolas Gonze and GIZ’s country director in Uganda and IGAD head of mission in Uganda Joselyn Bigirwa. (Courtesy photo)

The equipment was handed over by EU head of governance and social inclusion Nicolas Gonze, GIZ’s country director in Uganda and IGAD head of mission in Uganda Joselyn Bigirwa.

The handover was witnessed by Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, the Health Minister, Diana Atwine, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Margaret Muhanga, the Minister of State in charge of Primary Health Care, Dr. Henry Mwebesa, the Director of General Health Services, and Amb. Julius Kivuna from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Gonze said the donation is a part of the EU's dedicated endeavour, in response to the call to action by the heads of state of IGAD countries in 2020.

He said the total project volume is euros 8.4m (about shillings 35.7 billion) with 80% of the fund by the EU and 20% from the German government through BMZ.  

The range of IT equipment encompassing, desktops (34), laptops (9), tablets (4), UPS (34), extensions (30) and access points (3) will be dispatched to the cross-border sites of Busia, Malaba, Elegu, Bibia, Musafu, Tororo and Amuru.

The IT equipment will be integrated within the existing IDSR system and allow for the exchange of health data for disease surveillance systems at various levels: Health units at cross-border points, health facilities, sub-national health offices, and overarching Ministries of Health offices.

In essence, Gonze said the procured hardware seeks to elevate data management practices, making disease surveillance more efficient and streamlined.

Aceng said the donation is timely and noted that it will bridge the gaps of inadequacy of ICT tools needed by the frontline health workers to carry out surveillance and share cross-border health data.

“It will further enhance public health actions that reduce vulnerability to disease transmissions. However, we a need to mobilize additional resources at the regional level for surveillance, for support to points of entries and to support digitalization of all our reporting and data storage,” she said.

Acheng also confirmed Uganda’s readiness and full support for the implementation of the project by IGAD in Uganda.

On her part, Joselyn Bigirwa noted that the initiative also aims to implement a regional, transnational, and real-time monitoring and analysis system (SORMAS) in the IGAD region.

She said this platform will allow the flow of health information and data between IGAD member states towards containment and control of pandemics and prevent propagation across borders.

However, health ministry permanent secretary Diana Atwine cautioned the leadership of Tororo, Busia and Amuru to ensure that the equipment is allocated to the beneficiary facilities as highlighted in the allocation schedule.

“The equipment must be used by the surveillance focal persons and the medical records officers in the beneficially facilities,” she said.

History of pandemic outbreaks

Uganda gets outbreaks of diseases of global health concern at least once a year, according to the Ministry of Health.

In the last 15 years, for instance, the country has had up to seven outbreaks of Ebola virus disease, the highest of such outbreaks anywhere in the world.

On September 20, 2022, Uganda declared an Ebola disease outbreak caused by the Sudan ebolavirus species, after the confirmation of a case in Mubende district in the central part of the country.

It was the country’s first Sudan ebolavirus outbreak in a decade and its fifth of this kind of Ebola. In total during this outbreak, there were 164 cases (142 confirmed and 22 probable), 55 confirmed deaths and 87 recovered patients.

On January 11, 2023, Uganda declared the end of the outbreak. Uganda has been recognized by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as one of the 10 top countries which effectively managed the COVID-19 pandemic and minimized mortality and morbidity to the lowest levels.