Uganda’s Ministry of Health (MoH) has revealed how much money it needs to fight the current outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease.
About two weeks ago, MoH Permanent Secretary Dr Diana Atwine confirmed the outbreak of EVD in the country, with the index case confirmed in the district of Mubende.
The outbreak of EVD’s Sudan strain was confirmed as the country was reeling from the Covid19 pandemic that has battered the country and the rest of the world since 2020.
During the Covid19 pandemic, the Ugandan government and development partners or donors pumped billions of dollars in the fight against the viral respiratory disease. The money was channeled through donations and grants, among other forms.
The government of Uganda even called on companies, organizations and individuals to make contributions to finance activities related to the fight against Covid19 and the management of the impact of lockdowns.
Gen Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni even read names of the companies, organizations and individuals that made contributions during some of his live addresses on the pandemic.
In short, the Covid19 pandemic consumed a lot of money, just like all pandemics — and this speaks of how expensive it is to manage disease outbreaks.
Now, with the Ebola Virus disease confirmed in the country recently, Health Minister Dr Jane Ruth Aceng has revealed that the Ministry needs billions of Shillings to ably contain the Ebola outbreak.
Ebola cases have already been reported in the districts of Mubende, Kyegegwa, Kassanda and Kagadi.
The cumulative number of cases confirmed stands at 35 as of Saturday, October 01. Available information indicates that seven people have been confirmed to have died of the viral hemorrhagic fever while 16 people are admitted in hospitals.
The MoH is still following up on nearly 500 people who are believed to have made contacts with people who have been confirmed to be suffering from Covid19.
The numbers of cases and fatalities were also revised to knock out cases of those who died before the official outbreak confirmation a few weeks ago.
But there are reports that Ebola could have broken out in Mubende sometime in August 2022 and a number of people reportedly died of a disease believed to have been Ebola. In fact some people even claimed that it was a strange disease that was killing people.
Now, to help stop the spread of the Ebola disease, the Ministry of Health has asked for up to Shs68bn to beef up surveillance and management efforts.
This is the figure that Health Minister revealed to reporters on Saturday, October 01, 2022, following a high level meeting with officials representing development partners or donors, including the World Health Organization (WHO).
The meeting, which was a closed-door one, reportedly discussed the status of Ebola Virus Disease in the country and how the outbreak can be contained.
Minister Aceng said the Shs68bn figure was less than the real amount that would be required but the Shs68bn would definitely be a good starting point and is better than nothing. This means that depending on how much the disease spreads across the country, more billions will be required.
On Saturday, Minister Aceng also confirmed that Ebola had killed a doctor. (Read Story Here).
It should also be remembered that a significant amount of money will go towards sensitization of the masses. Already, there are reports that some locals think that the government officials at Dr Aceng’s MoH confirmed the outbreak ‘just to eat money’ while others claim that there is no Ebola but it is rather witchcraft. (Read Story Here).
Meanwhile, President Museveni has announced his position on whether to declare a lockdown over Ebola or not. (Read Story Here).
DEAL! Register for a business training opportunity by University of Chicago and Imuka Access HERE
