India dispatches first tranche of urgent medical supplies in wake of Ebola health emergency
New Delhi, May 24
India on Sunday dispatched the first tranche of medical supplies and protective kits to the African Centre for Diseases Control and Prevention in the wake of the emerging Ebola public health emergency.
Underlining India's support to Africa in this hour, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said in a post on X, "India dispatched the first tranche of urgent medical supplies and protective kits to @AfricaCDC today. Committed to support Africa in responding to the emerging Ebola public health emergency."
In light of the reported outbreaks of Ebola disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, the World Health Organisation (WHO), under the International Health Regulations (IHR), 2005, on May 17, determined the situation to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has also officially declared the ongoing outbreak of Bundibugyo strain Ebola virus disease affecting the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda as a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS).
Further, the WHO IHR Emergency Committee on May 22 issued temporary recommendations to strengthen disease surveillance at Points of Entry to "detect, assess, report and manage travellers with unexplained febrile illness arriving from areas with documented Bundibugyo virus detection" while also "discouraging travel to areas with documented Bundibugyo virus detection".
As per the press release, countries bordering the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, including South Sudan, are assessed to be at high risk of disease transmission.
Ebola disease is a viral haemorrhagic fever caused by infection with the Bundibugyo virus strain of Ebola virus. It is a serious disease with a high mortality rate. At present, no vaccines or specific treatments have been approved to prevent or treat Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus strain.
In view of the evolving situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other affected countries, and in line with WHO's recommendations, the Government of India advises all Indian citizens to avoid non-essential travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and South Sudan until further notice.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good to see India taking proactive measures. But I wonder about the domestic preparedness - are our hospitals and airports equipped to handle potential cases? The advisory for Indian citizens to avoid travel is wise, but we need stronger screening at our own borders too.
This is exactly the kind of soft power India needs to project! While China builds infrastructure in Africa, we're sending life-saving medical aid. Also glad to see Jaishankar ji personally highlighting this on X. Let's hope other countries follow our example. 🙏
Important move by India. As someone who's worked in public health, I know that containing Ebola at the source is the most effective strategy. The WHO's PHEIC declaration was necessary. India's support to Africa CDC is commendable, but let's also ensure our own healthcare workers get proper training and PPE for potential cases.
👍 Great initiative! But I hope this is just the first tranche and not the last. The Bundibugyo strain is particularly dangerous with no approved vaccines. India should also offer our vaccine manufacturing capabilities to help develop treatments. Our pharma industry can make a real difference here.
As an Indian living in East Africa, I can tell you this is very much needed. The local health systems here are strained. India's help will be remembered. But I also worry about panic and misinformation spreading - we need proper communication from both Indian and African authorities about the actual risks and precautions.
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