Uganda Red Cross hosts its counterparts in the region for epidemic response and management

UGANDA – The Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) with support from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), has held a Cross-Border Collaboration meeting to agree on a regional response mechanism for epidemics.  

The meeting hosted Secretary Generals from 12 Red Cross Red Crescent National Societies to agree on joint collaboration & development of Terms of References (TOR) at the Speke Resort in Munyonyo. 

The TORs are to guide the Technical Working Group (TWG) for the 12 National Societies to lead the Cross Border Collaboration during any response & management of Epidemics.

This was then followed by a successful 2 days Cross-Border Collaboration meeting on epidemic preparedness and response between Red Cross Red Crescent National Societies (NS).

The 12 participating countries represented at the meeting were Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, South Sudan, DRC, Sudan, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Madagascar, Comoros, & Uganda.

The meeting was intended to develop a collective road map for Cross-Border Collaboration on epidemic preparedness and identify technical tools and guidelines to facilitate peer-to-peer support.

Furthermore, the meeting would inform the development of a national Society health technical working group to lead to cross-border collaboration during epidemics.

Speaking at the event Robert Kwesiga, the Secretary General of Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) said there was a need to put responsibilities to local societies and have rightful human resources to enable encounter any pandemic and epidemic outbreak that may occur in the country.

The collaborative meeting is poised to become a hub of innovative ideas and expertise, all aimed at safeguarding the health and well-being of the East African community.

“This gathering represents a convergence of minds to strengthen our collective response to epidemic threats,” emphasized Pape Mouse Tall, Head of Delegation at IFRC.

The challenges posed by managing such outbreaks have consistently revolved around limited resources. 

To address this concern, delegates at the meeting advocated for the creation of a dedicated fund by regional governments, specifically designed to address the financial requirements in the event of an outbreak.

“Resource availability has been a major challenge for Uganda and many other African countries in managing epidemic outbreaks. The creation of a dedicated fund could greatly enhance our preparedness and response,” stated Robert Kwesigwa, Secretary General of the Uganda Red Cross.

Combating a common regional foe together 

The Ebola Virus Disease has cast a grim shadow over the African continent, with East African countries frequently grappling with outbreaks.

In a region that has been particularly susceptible to the disease, Uganda, most recently, has battled an Ebola outbreak that claimed lives in Mubende District.

Responding to this challenge, the International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) and the Uganda Red Cross Society, in partnership with the government, are advocating for united efforts among East African member states to bolster epidemic preparedness.

Uganda’s effectiveness in managing these outbreaks has turned it into a benchmark for other nations to emulate.

Dr Daniel Kyabayinze, the Director of Health Services and also Public Health National Covid-19 Vaccination Commander in the Ministry of Health noted that Uganda had established structured systems that complement with collaborators to control outbreaks once they happen.

He said that they already had in place seven different pillars in which the ministry responds to the epidemics and pandemics once they outbreak in the country including community engagement.

“Uganda’s success in controlling these outbreaks makes it an example that other countries in the region can learn from,” commented Dr. Daniel Kyabayinze, Director of Public Health at the Ministry of Health.

As the two-day meeting unfolds, all eyes in the region are fixed on Kampala, eager to witness the birth of a unified front against the persistent threat of epidemic outbreaks.

“Pandemics or emergencies don’t respect borders. Our borders are very porous so a pandemic in one country can be a global problem. That is why we need to put mechanisms on mitigation, preparedness, and response; share experiences and see what has worked and what has not,” reiterated Kwesiga. 

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