US pledges to support Uganda's COVID-19 response efforts

Apr 01, 2020

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide last December, Uganda has registered 44 cases.

HEALTH  VIRUS

KAMPALA - The US government has pledged its commitment to support Uganda in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Among the areas where the US government will assist, through its mission in Uganda, are; offering expert support, assisting Ugandan laboratories with sample transport networks, training of laboratory staff, and diagnostic capabilities. 

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide last December, Uganda has registered 44 cases. Of these, only five were out of the quarantine, and the rest were persons who returned from abroad with the virus, especially those from Dubai.

"The US Mission in Uganda is committed to assisting Uganda in its fight against COVID-19.  Last year, the U.S government provided more than $500 million in assistance to the health sector in Uganda, representing the largest investment from any country," a statement from the US government said yesterday.

The  US government agencies that are contributing to COVID-19 response efforts include; the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

Others are; the Department of Defense, and the Department of State through the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

Besides, the embassy said they would offer expert support to the Ugandan Government. "The U.S government officials are in daily contact with the Ministry of Health and provide expert support to the COVID-19 response National Task Force, its sub-committees, and strategy sessions," the embassy said.  

The U.S government is also supporting the Ministry of Health to develop risk management communications for COVID-19. 

"We are also helping the Ugandan government to determine needs for medicines and supplies for the COVID-19 response, and we are assisting the government in managing the impact of COVID-19 on the availability of health supplies," the statement said. 

Technically, the U.S government is continuing large-scale support to Uganda for disease surveillance, field epidemiology response, incident management, emergency operations, and data systems.

"U.S investments over many years in these areas have helped Uganda to be better prepared to respond to epidemics.  We continue to provide support in all of these areas for COVID-19."

The US government said it has donated IT equipment to improve communication between and among Ugandan hospitals and district officials.  "We have also established virtual platforms for Ministry of Health meetings and communications."

The U.S government is also working closely with the Ministry of Health and civil society to ensure that critical health services for HIV, tuberculosis, maternal and child health, and malaria continue despite the challenges of COVID-19.         

 

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});