The government of Denmark through the Royal Danish Embassy has extended a donation of one million US dollars (Ugx 3.7m) to Uganda to support the purchase of ten thousand covid-19 test kits. The hand over happened at the ministry of health headquarters on Wednesday.
Ambassador of Denmark to Uganda, Nicolaj Petersen,said the money will be handed to the World Health Organisation in Uganda which will take on the procurement process.
“We believe this support will enable you purchase testing kits at different laboratories. It will enable Uganda to provide Personal Protective Equipment for the frontline workers. We think this contribution will help to reduce the waiting time for results minimising congestion at the quarantine centres,” he said.
The ambassador of also noted that the contribution will help to decrease congestion at the border points so as to ease tension in trade within the East African Community.
This comes after the Permanent secretary of the Ministry of Health gave a report on how the ministry still needed money to buy more test kits for COVID-19.
The minister of health Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng said, “Uganda has a great need for testing kits and this grant comes as a boost to our testing capacity. This will help in combing out covid19 infections from the communities. Thank you for the support and steadfast partnership”
Dr Yonas Tegegn Woldemariam, World Health Organization, Representative in Uganda said that covid-19 remains as a priority for WHO at all levels.
He added that the provision of support to procure laboratory supplies will go a long way in facilitating tests for truck drivers, communities and those in quarantine as well.
“I would like to affirm our commitment to a continued partnership with the Embassy of Denmark and the Government of Uganda and all partners in the control COVID 19 outbreak and other public health problems.”he said.
