Ministry of Health seeks Shs44.5bn to complete Ebola response plan

The Ministry of Health needs Shs44.5bn to windup the response plan aimed at combating Ebola outbreaks.

According to the plan layout, of the budgeted sum of Shs63.53bn, only 30 per cent has been met yet the plan is due to expire next month.

Last November, over 7,000 people were vaccinated during the launch of the Ebola preparedness response plan which was first implemented in over 20 districts that had a high risk of cross border importation of EVD.

The districts included Ntoroko, Kasese, Kabarole, Bundibugyo, Bunyangabu, Kanungu, Kisoro, Rukungiri, Rubirizi, Kikuube, Kamwenge, Kyegegwa, Kyenjojo, Isingiro, Buliisa, Hoima, Kagadi, Pakwach, Kampala and Wakiso.

Now the plan is due to end with over 70 per cent of what must have been covered not yet touched, yet the Ebola outbreak is still high in Democratic Republic of Congo. This makes Uganda unsafe especially at the borders with DR Congo.

While receiving United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)’s donation of 31 motorcycles, one thermo-scanner and three Ambulances at Ministry of Health headquarters on Thursday, Minister of Health Dr Ruth Aceng said much of the money used in the plan was facilitated by World Health Organisation where vaccines and ambulances were also donated.

“Our response plan will be expiring in September 2019. This entire plan we are currently implementing requires Shs63.53bn. However, we have only mobilised 30 per cent of these resources but we are appreciative that items continue to come in kind and UNHCR’s donation is one of them and it will be quantified to offset what is in that preparedness plan,” said Aceng.

Aceng added that due to need for money and continuing Ebola outbreaks, the plan has been extended to December 31, 2019.

“This will enable us to respond to the current Ebola threat, so we thank all our development partners for the support,” she said.

Meanwhile, the donation will specifically support refugee-hosting districts health system by transporting identified alerts and suspected cases of Ebola to designated treatment sites.

Motorcycles will be used in districts such as Yumbe, Arua, Adjumani, Moyo, Lamwo, Kikuubo Kiryandongo, Kamwenge, Kyegegwa, Isingiro Koboko Hoima and Ntoroko. While the Thermo scanner will be installed at the airport in Entebbe to screen those exiting the country to protect the international community from getting any Ebola infections.

The three ambulances will be deployed in high-risk districts such as Kisoro, Kanungu and Arua.

The entire donation is worth Shs728 million.