Israel donates medical aid for COVID-19 fight

The government of Israel has donated medical equipment to Uganda to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

The equipment includes 6,000 surgical masks, 500 medical gowns and 50 temperature guns.

The donation was handed over to the National Response Fund to COVID-19 by the honorary consul of Israel to Uganda Ishta Kutesa Muganga at Office the Prime Minister in Kampala on Saturday.

Muganga who declined to reveal the value of the items, said the donation was in line with the bilateral relationship which the two countries enjoy.

"In view of the friendly relationship between Uganda and Israel, the government of the state of Israel through the arm of Israel's Agency for International Development Cooperation (MASHAV) has donated the medical equipment to Uganda in the fight against COVID-19," Muganga said.

She lauded President Yoweri Museveni for the government's commendable efforts in the fight against COVID-19.

"The state of Israel commends President Yoweri Museveni and the government of Uganda with the endless cautions for Ugandans to follow the ministry of health guidelines to protect against the spread of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic," Muganga noted.

She said the government of Israel is committed to further the bilateral relationship which the two countries enjoy in the advancement of each other's interests.

Mary Karooro Okurut, the general duties minister who doubles as the political advisor to the response fund commended companies and individuals who have contributed to the fund in response to President Yoweri Museveni's call to support the campaign.

Karooro who was accompanied by Dorothy Kisaka, the fund's administrator, warned Ugandans against being too confident and relaxed because they think they can deal with the COVID-19 pandemic since the country has not registered any deaths so far.

"Ugandans should not relax but follow the standard operating procedures put out by the Ministry of Health which include compulsory hand-washing with soap and clean water, social distancing and wearing of facial masks among others. The results are good but we cannot afford to be complacent," Karooro said.

She said that all COVID-19 donors will be issued with a certificate of appreciation by the President.

"The fight against COVID-19 is a collective effort of both individuals and government," Karooro added.