New Delhi, May 29: As the deadly Ebola outbreak spreads in Africa, India has reiterated its commitment to assist affected countries and the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in managing this health emergency.
During a weekly media briefing in New Delhi, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal announced that India’s High Commissioner to Uganda, Upendra Singh Rawat, has delivered medical supplies to the Africa CDC office.
Jaiswal stated, “We have sent medical supplies to the Africa CDC. Our High Commissioner in Uganda has handed them over at the CDC office. We are prepared to assist countries and the Africa CDC in every possible way to address this public health emergency on the continent. We will keep you updated as more information becomes available. However, we have already dispatched the first batch of medical supplies to the Africa CDC.”
Last week, India sent essential medical supplies and protective kits to the Africa CDC. In a post on X, Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar expressed India’s commitment to support Africa in combating the emerging Ebola virus.
Jaishankar wrote, “India has today sent essential medical supplies and protective kits to the Africa CDC. We are committed to supporting Africa in addressing the emerging Ebola public health emergency.”
On Wednesday, the Africa CDC, headquartered in Ethiopia, announced on social media that the supplies donated by the Indian government had reached its West African regional coordinating center in Uganda and would be distributed to affected communities in eastern DR Congo.
The agency noted that the supplies include essential diagnostics, therapeutics, infection prevention and control materials, and case management support.
The continental public health agency welcomed the arrival of the emergency pharmaceutical supplies donated by the Indian government and people to assist in managing the Ebola outbreak in Bundibugyo, DRC.
It expressed gratitude to India for its ongoing support and commitment to saving lives and advancing health security across the continent.
The WHO declared the ongoing Ebola situation in the region a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on May 17. In recent years, India has provided medical assistance to African nations, particularly during public health emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic, supplying medicines and vaccines.
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