India has extended urgent medical assistance to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) to support efforts to contain the Ebola outbreak in parts of Africa, following a request from the African Union Commission.
The assistance is aimed at strengthening public health preparedness and enhancing regional response capacities in affected countries.
As part of its support, India dispatched the first tranche of about 2.5 tonnes of emergency medical supplies to Kampala, Uganda, on May 24. The consignment included protective gear, medical monitoring equipment, essential medicines and nutritional supplements.
Following a detailed assessment of requirements provided by Africa CDC, the Ministry of External Affairs mobilised a second and larger tranche of assistance comprising 43 tonnes of medical supplies. The consignment, which reached Kampala on June 2, includes protective equipment, diagnostic and monitoring devices, sample transport kits, infection prevention materials, medicines and supplements.
In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said India’s assistance reflects its longstanding commitment to partnership with African countries, particularly in responding to public health emergencies. Indian missions in Addis Ababa and Kampala are coordinating closely with the African Union Commission and Africa CDC to support ongoing Ebola response efforts.
The assistance comes amid continuing concerns over the spread of Ebola in parts of Africa. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the Democratic Republic of Congo has reported 321 confirmed Ebola cases and 116 suspected cases. The outbreak has resulted in 48 deaths, while six patients have recovered.
The WHO said the number of suspected cases has declined significantly after investigations ruled out hundreds of previously reported infections.
In neighbouring Uganda, health authorities have confirmed 15 Ebola cases, including one death. The latest six cases were identified among contacts of previously confirmed patients.
Health agencies continue to monitor the situation closely, with Africa CDC and the WHO working alongside national governments to strengthen surveillance, testing and treatment efforts to contain the outbreak.
(Inputs from Reuters)
