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Russia delivered two cutting-edge mobile lab trucks to the Ministry of Health to aid in the country's pandemic surveillance and detection efforts.

The labs were handed over and received by Anifah Kawooya, State Minister for Health in Charge of Health Duties, during the closure of the first Joint Africa-Russia International Conference on Combating Infectious Diseases at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel in Kampala on April 19, 2024.

The two-day-and-a-half event, which began on April 17, 2024, focused on strengthening collaborative interventions to deal with future pandemics.

Vyacheslav Smolensky, Deputy Head of Rospotrebnadzor speaks during the closure of the first Joint Africa-Russia International Conference on Combating Infectious Diseases at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel in Kampala, on April 19, 2024. (All Photos by Hajarah Nalwadda)

The labs were donated to Uganda in Russia during a sideline health conference held during the Second Russia-Africa Summit in Mosco, Russia in 2023.

After inspecting and receiving the trucks, Nakawooya expressed gratitude to the Russian government, stating that Uganda is committed to ensuring that the mobile laboratories are used effectively.

“We know the funds used to purchase the trucks are not only for the Russian Government but also for the citizens of the Republic of Russia,” she added.

She said the participation of many countries demonstrates that they are all working together for the same goal, to find significant strategies to tackle infectious diseases across the African continent and other parts of the world.

Russian laboratory engineer organises lab equipment inside the Bacteriological Laboratory after the Russian delegation handing over the two State-of-the-Art Mobile Lab trucks to The Ministry of Health during the closure of the first Joint Africa-Russia International Conference on Combating Infectious Diseases at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel in Kampala, on April 19, 2024.

The Conference was attended both in person and online by over 150 professionals from 15 nations, as well as two international organizations, the African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (ACDCP) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

The expertise comprised scientists from epidemiology, microbiology, and infectious disease laboratory diagnostics.

Other countries which participated include Burkina Faso, Burundi, Guinea, Arab Republic of Egypt, Zambia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Ethiopia, South Africa, Vietnam, and Uganda the host.

Anifah Kawooya (L),the State Minister for Health in Charge of Health Duties speaking as Vyacheslav Smolensky (second right) Deputy Head of Rospotrebnadzor looks on during the closure of the first Joint Africa-Russia International Conference on Combating Infectious Diseases at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel in Kampala, on April 19, 2024.

The program was announced by the Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Second Russia-Africa Summit last year (2023), and this is the first conference. 

The "Rospotrebnadzor Russian Cooperation Program with African Countries on the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases" is based on Russian scientific and practical experience in dealing with biological threats.

Putin made the pledge in a welcome message (via video) to participants in the conference that Russia stands committed to an active partnership in healthcare with African nations.

S. Saratov, Russian laboratory engineer organising lab equipment inside the Sanitary and Microbiological Laboratory after the Russian delegation handed over the two State-of-the-Art Mobile Lab trucks to The Ministry of Health during the closure of the first Joint Africa-Russia International Conference on Combating Infectious Diseases at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel in Kampala, on April 19, 2024.

“The risk of new epidemic outbreaks or the spread of the already known dangerous disease remains very high,” said Putin, adding, “The African continent is particularly vulnerable to these challenges and needs accelerated build-up of medical, scientific, and technological capabilities to protect the population against various infections.”

Nakawooya stressed that the Ministry of Health cherishes Russian collaboration and intends to form a strong partnership, especially in the fight against future pandemics.

The minister emphasized that the experiences and insights shared at the two-day meeting will serve as a milestone in changing the way “we detect and manage infectious diseases, as well as any future pandemics”. 

She commended Uganda's President and Russia for taking on the initiative to strengthen engagement and partnerships.

Diana Atwine (R), Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health interacts with the Russian delegation during the closure of the first Joint Africa-Russia International Conference on Combating Infectious Diseases at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel in Kampala, on April 19, 2024.

Vyacheslav Smolensky, Head of the Russian Delegation, stated that the program began last year during the African-Russia summit, and they have been able to achieve cooperation with other African states.

“It is very important for us that this conference should gain more power and we as co-organisers with other African countries will be very happy, to hear about the support of the proposals in the conference so that this conference should also become more regularly organized every two years but this is a decision that will be discussed among our African partners,” he added.

S. Saratov, Russian laboratory engineer organises lab equipment inside the Sanitary and Microbiological Laboratory.

Smolensky thanked all of the countries that took part in the historic summit, stating that it was the beginning of a great relationship between Russia and Africa in the humanitarian sector as well as the battle against infectious illnesses.

Russia, with its extensive experience in fighting infectious diseases and using mobile laboratories, consistently supports the implementation of the International Health Regulations (IHR).

They appreciated the Republic of Uganda and the Russian Federation for organizing the First Joint Russian-African International Conference on the Control of Infectious Diseases, which was held in the spirit of unity, equality, openness, and mutual respect, and gave participants equal opportunities to speak on topical issues of study, prevention, and response to epidemics.