With support from Resolve To Save Lives, the Executive Director of Makerere University’s Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI), Dr. Andrew Kambugu handed over equipment worth UGX 600M to different universities across Uganda such as Makerere, Mbarara University to prevent, detect and respond to public health threats.
Resolve To Save lives is an American organisation dedicated to ending epidemics. The handover was presided over by the Minister of Health, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng.
During the press conference, Dr. Andrew Kambugu, accompanied by his team that included the Head, Global Health Security Programme, Dr. Mohammed Larmode, thanked the Minister for the tireless efforts that led to the successful containment of the Ebola Virus Outbreak of June 2019.
“This achievement was made possible under the guidance and leadership of the Ministry of Health officials, working hard to ensure importation of cases does not result in onward local transmission.”
“Even while the COVID-19 pandemic has generated concern as it spreads rapidly, including to some countries in Africa, we are pledging our efforts to work in line with International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) so as to strengthen capacity to respond to public health threats through trainings,” he said.
The Executive Director said the equipment will be used to assist in risk mapping around the institutions. Dr. Aceng applauded the partnership with IDI saying that the Government acknowledges both local and international partners that continue to provide support in capacity building for preparedness and response to public health threats of international concern.
