Uganda on Tuesday called for sustained collaboration among international partners as it supports neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in responding to an ongoing Ebola outbreak.

Ugandan Minister of Health, Chris Baryomunsi, made the appeal during an Ebola Accountability Forum co-hosted by the Ugandan Government and the World Health Organisation in Kampala to review the country’s outbreak response.

He said that the forum reviewed mobilised resources, financial expenditures, and the implementation of the national Ebola response and preparedness plans.

Mr Baryomunsi thanked the partners for their support in helping Uganda bring its Ebola outbreak under control since it was declared on May 15.

He said Uganda needs continuous international support as it works with the DRC to prevent cross-border transmission of the Ebola virus.

He said Uganda had deployed health personnel and equipment to eastern DRC to strengthen the neighbouring country’s response efforts.

The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health, Diana Atwine, commended countries that refrained from imposing travel restrictions during the outbreak.

“You believed in us and believed in our capacity. This speaks volumes about the true partnerships we have with you,” Ms Atwine said.

According to official data, Uganda has recorded a cumulative total of 20 confirmed Ebola cases in the current outbreak, including 15 imported cases from the DRC.

Of the 20 cases, 17 patients have recovered, one is hospitalised, and two are dead. 

(Xinhua/NAN)