Japan donates medical equipment worth sh14b to Uganda

The Japanese Embassy has donated sh14b to the Ugandan government to help in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. 

The money will be used to procure different medical equipment, including 10 ambulances, 256 hospital beds, stretchers for people with disabilities, and providing infrastructure support through the upgrading of regional hospitals around the country. 

The two countries signed an ‘exchange of notes for the economic and social development programme' at the finance ministry head offices in Kampala on Tuesday morning. 

Uganda was represented by Matia Kasaija, the finance minister while, the Japanese government was represented by Kazuaki Kameda, its Ambassador to Uganda.
 
The grant is part of Japan's support to African countries to contain the outbreak of COVID-19.

"This grant aid will assist the Government of Uganda to procure healthcare equipment absolutely necessary for continuing medical services in order to cope with the spread of COVID-19 in Uganda," Kameda said. 

He said though health ministry officials have exhibited professionalism and dedication in the fight, the recent surge in positive cases is indicating community proliferating. 

"…further increase of positive cases would lead to the country's healthcare system to be overwhelmed and to collapse. It is desired in the meantime that referral hospitals and other medical institutions would be reinforced by more health workers and better equipment with healthcare and medical equipment," he added.
 
Uganda has so far confirmed 6,468 COVID-19 cases with 2,731 recoveries and 63 deaths. 

Kasaija welcomed the grant, describing it as vital and that it will "relieve the pressure on the already existing infrastructure in the various health facilities and it will as well complement government's on-going efforts of addressing and or containing the pandemic."