Uganda Now Exporting Ebola Expertise to DRC, Says Health Minister

Uganda is demonstrating its enhanced public health capabilities by actively supporting Ebola response efforts in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). According to Dr. Charles Ayume, Minister of State for Primary Health Care, Ugandan medical professionals are now staffing two Ebola treatment centers in the DRC, marking a significant step in the nation’s ability to export its hard-won expertise.

This development comes as Uganda recently declared the end of its own 2026 Ebola outbreak. Dr. Ayume explained that the country’s extensive experience from managing multiple Ebola incidents has strengthened its public health infrastructure, enabling it to contribute to regional disease containment.

“We have built a lot of capacity and we are now even able to export it,” Dr. Ayume stated, emphasizing that the personnel in the DRC treatment centers are entirely Ugandan.

He also noted that Uganda’s Ebola response protocols have gained international recognition, with global health experts referencing the country’s methodologies. Dr. Ayume attributed this progress to lessons learned from nine previous Ebola outbreaks, each one contributing to a more robust health system.

Public awareness and community engagement have also seen marked improvement. Dr. Ayume pointed out that since the devastating 2001 outbreak, communities are now more informed about Ebola symptoms and are proactively reporting suspected cases, a sign of increased national vigilance.

Furthermore, Uganda is strengthening its financial autonomy in emergency response, allocating domestic funds rather than solely relying on donor support. The government recently provided Shs5 billion to initiate immediate outbreak management, allowing for rapid deployment of resources and teams.

Despite focusing on Ebola preparedness, essential health services, including maternal and child health and malaria programs, have continued to function nationwide. The Ministry of Health maintains heightened surveillance, particularly along the DRC border, to swiftly address any potential future threats.

Uganda remains committed to enhancing its preparedness and fostering regional cooperation to combat infectious diseases effectively. This collaboration aims to ensure the country is ready for future outbreaks while assisting neighboring nations in controlling disease spread.

This information is based on a report from Nile Post.