India sends Ebola relief aid to Africa CDC

Amid the outbreak of Ebola in parts of the African continent, India has dispatched the second tranche of medical assistance to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), comprising protective gear, diagnostic and monitoring equipment, infection prevention supplies and medicines and supplements.

On May 17, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

As an urgent response, the first tranche of about 2.5 tonnes of urgent medical supplies was dispatched on May 24 to Kampala, Uganda, comprising protective gear, medical monitoring equipment, essential medicines and supplements, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Tuesday.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in a post on X shared an update on the second tranche of medical assistance sent to Africa CDC and some photos of the consignment.

“India has dispatched the second tranche of medical assistance to @AfricaCDC, comprising protective gear, diagnostic & monitoring equipment, medicines, and supplements. Confident that this 43 tons consignment will further strengthen public health preparedness and bolster Ebola response capacities across @_AfricanUnion,” he said on Tuesday.

The MEA in its statement said after receiving a more detailed list of requirements from Africa CDC, it mobilised a larger second tranche, comprising protective gear, diagnostic and monitoring devices, sample transport kits, infection prevention supplies, medicines and supplements. The second tranche will be reaching Kampala on Tuesday and will be handed over to Africa CDC, it said.

India has extended urgent medical assistance to the Africa CDC to support their Ebola response efforts after receiving a request from the African Union Commission, it said.  “India’s support is tailored to meet the needs of Africa CDC to contain the Ebola outbreak in some parts of Africa, and to strengthen public health preparedness and regional response capacities,” the MEA added.

India’s support reflects its “enduring commitment” to partnership with African countries, including in supporting them to respond to public health situations in the continent. “Our Missions in Addis Ababa and Kampala remain closely engaged with the African Union Commission and the Africa CDC for supporting their Ebola response efforts,” it said.