DAVID MAFABI
KAMPALA
Following the accreditation of laboratories capable of performing the tests, the World Health Organization (WHO) has provided Uganda with monkey pox test kits.
According to WHO, the kits have a capacity of 2,400 tests.
Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, the Health Minister said Tuesday in Kampala that the WHO grant will strengthen monkey pox testing in the country.
We’ve been conducting monkey pox testing.” “At first, we were taking samples to South Africa as we raced to ensure that the cartridges were available in Uganda,” she explained.
“Subsequently, the US government’s Department of Defense sent in the cartridges, and we began testing in-country while we wait for WHO to accredit the laboratories that would test so that our results are internationally recognized,” she continued.
The three labs that have been accredited are the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI), National Health Laboratory Services, and the United States Department of Defense (in the country).
To date, the country has conducted more than 70 tests for the monkey pox virus, all of which have come back negative. According to the Health Ministry, this indicates that no monkeypox cases have been discovered in Uganda.
Last month, Dr. Aceng told the media that monkey pox is being treated as a significant concern because international news organizations are discussing it.
“There are no cases of monkey pox in the country.” That is not to imply we are not concerned. We share a border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which has been plagued by monkey pox for the past 10 years. “We also trade with DRC and have relatives there,” she added.
The WHO Representative in Uganda, Dr Yonas Tegegn Woldemariam, stated that the kits given can perform 2,400 monkeypox tests.
“Uganda has labs capable of doing the tests, and this will be put to good use under the supervision of UVRI.” “It’s critical to have surveillance to prevent monkeypox,” he stated.
The WHO labeled monkey pox, a disease affecting non-endemic countries, a public health emergency of worldwide concern last week. Ends
