10 Jan 2019

WHO chief says Uganda’s Ebola strategy ‘will go a long way’

In the wake of the Ebola crisis, Uganda’s strategies have been recognised globally.

The Director General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has applauded the response the country has mounted so far.

Ugandan Prime Minister, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda expressed appreciation for WHO’s support, he said:

“Whatever Uganda has managed to achieve in public health is because of the general leadership of WHO.”

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is struggling to keep up with its second deadliest outbreak ever, as healthcare efforts have been disrupted by political protests.

In a response to a growing number of infections in the DRC, the Ugandan Government has prioritised vaccination of frontline health care workers.

It was reported on Tuesday that all Ebola effected areas in the DRC are now accessible to health workers. WHO revealed that since the outbreak last August, 608 confirmed cases and 368 deaths have now been recorded.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said:

“I’m concerned about the impact of the recent disruptions at this critical moment. This outbreak is occurring in the most difficult context imaginable. To end it the response needs to be supported and expanded, not further complicated. Ebola is unforgiving, and disruptions give the virus the advantage.”

The WHO have said they are committed to addressing key challenges and to working with the UN and NGO partners to ensure the end of this outbreak.

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