Uganda’s Minister of State for Health in Charge of Primary Health Care, Hon. Margaret Muhanga Mugisa, has praised Rwanda’s response to the Marburg virus outbreak, describing it as highly organized and technologically advanced. The minister visited Rwanda’s Marburg National Command Post on Thursday, October 31, where she met with Rwandan health officials and an Ugandan team currently supporting containment efforts.
“I am impressed by the way Rwanda has responded to this Marburg,” said Minister Muhanga. “I’m also happy that it has not spread outside this country. I’ve seen the organization, the pillars, and those who are really the frontline runners to fight this Marburg.”
Rwanda’s response has so far prevented the Marburg virus, a deadly disease related to Ebola, from spreading beyond its borders. The virus, which has a high mortality rate, presents a serious threat in the Great Lakes region due to its proximity to the Congo Basin, a known hotspot for emerging infectious diseases.
“Due to our proximity to the Congo Basin, we are really susceptible to getting these outbreaks,” Muhanga explained. “But the response and the tools that we have developed are strong enough for us to fight these viruses and make sure they don’t spread to other countries.”
One aspect of Rwanda’s response that stood out to the Ugandan minister was the use of robots to disseminate information and check temperatures, reducing human contact and minimizing the risk of transmission. “It’s quite impressive. You’re high-tech, and this is what we need,” she said. “Now AI has come, it will even make simpler the things that we are doing.”
Muhanga also highlighted the importance of cross-border collaboration in fighting public health threats, noting that Uganda had sent a team to Rwanda to support containment efforts. She praised the regional cooperation, emphasizing its importance for the Great Lakes region.
“I was really impressed to find even the Ugandan team here,” she said. “The Ugandan teams coming to support in the fight against Marburg means a lot to this region, to the Great Lakes region, that we need each other, especially when it comes to fighting these pandemics that will occur at any one time.”
The minister concluded by thanking the Ugandan team for their support and acknowledged the mutual benefits of regional solidarity in addressing health crises. “Having each other’s back is very important,” she added. “I thank the Ugandan team who agreed to come here and work with the Rwandan team.”
Hon. Muhanga’s visit reflects the significance of regional cooperation and innovative technology in managing health crises. Her remarks illustrated a shared commitment across the Great Lakes region to protect public health and prevent the spread of highly contagious diseases like Marburg.
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