The Government of Denmark yesterday signed a grant worth $2 million to support the COVID-19 response in Uganda.
The $ 2 million grant will be used to acquire masks and Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) for health workers and will also support the improvement of Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services in Uganda’s selected districts. The Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) will be used to channel the grant.
Nicolaj Petersen, the Danish Ambassador to Uganda, extended his government’s appreciation to the Government of Uganda for implementing strategic and effective measures to prevent and manage the COVID-19 pandemic at the signing ceremony.
“Uganda has managed to control the spread of the Coronavirus so far. Only 81 cases have been confirmed, most of which were detected at entry”, he said.
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Despite Uganda’s success so far, Ambassador Nicolaj noted that in order to make sure that the virus is contained, more still has to be done.
“This grant, therefore, will further support the Government of Uganda’s agenda to combat COVID-19,” he said.
Despite the infrastructural and social challenges Uganda faces, Nicolaj appreciated the work done by UNFPA and WHO in the country’s health sector and asked that the grant be used to get the urgently needed PPEs and oxygen masks.
Dr Yonas Tegegn Woldemariam, WHO Representative in Uganda, said that the grant is an important milestone to the country especially in areas that need increased technical support such as the application of technical standards and best practices focusing on case management, the coordination of COVID 19 response, laboratory, infection prevention and control, psychosocial support and risk communication.
These critical areas are inline with Uganda’s government COVID-19 Preparedness and Response plans as well as WHO’s strategy.
Dr Yonas cautioned that despite Uganda’s great strides in responding to the pandemic, it doesn’t mean that the pandemic is over.
“There is still a need to respond to the pandemic as if it is just starting. The continued presence of COVID-19 outbreaks globally and within neighbouring countries is just an indication that we need to do more,” he added.
The UNFPA Representative in Uganda, Mr Alain Sibenaler said “We shall continue to provide critical support towards SRH services, and with support from Denmark, this can be done in a safer and more protective way.”
