The Danish Government (Kingdom of Denmark) has supported Uganda’s Ministry of Health with financial grant of up to $1,000,000 through the World Health Organisation (WHO) to support the COVID-19 response team.
According to officials at the Ministry of Health, the grant will be used to procure test kits and additional protective gear for frontline health workers in light of the pandemic.
“Uganda has a great need for testing kits and this grant comes as a boost to our testing capacity. This [money] will help in combing out COVID-19 infections from the communities. Thank you for the support and steadfast partnership,” Health Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, said in a statement.
The funds, according to the statement, will cater for the purchase of additional Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) for the said Ministry of Health frontline workers.
“This contribution is intended to increase the number of people being tested and decrease congestion at the border points so as to ease tension in the trade within the East African Community.” Nicolaj A. Hejberg Petersen, the Danish Ambassador to Uganda said.
For their part, the World Health Organisation (WHO) emphasised that COVID-19 remains their priority at all levels. They said that provision of support to procure laboratory supplies will go a long way in facilitating tests for especially truck drivers, communities and those in quarantine.
“I would like to affirm our commitment to a continued partnership with the Embassy of Denmark and the Government of Uganda and all partners in the control of the COVID-19 outbreak and other public health problems.” Dr Yonas Tegegn Woldemariam, WHO Representative in Uganda said.
