Japan boosts Uganda's health emergency response with sh2.9b grant

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The Government of Japan has awarded Uganda 27 ambulances and five firetrucks with the aim of strengthening the emergency and disaster response systems in the country. 

The donation worth shillings 2.9 billion ($807,252), is being given in two phases with the first batch of 10 ambulances allocated to eight districts and three cities.

These include Kampala City, Jinja City, Masaka City and the districts of Kapchorwa, Nebbi, Kalangala, Wakiso, Moyo, Luwero, Mpigi, and Kayunga. Other recipients are the Uganda Police who were awarded one ambulance and five firetrucks.

The donation was made through Japan's Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP), which aims at ensuring humanitarian support to developing countries.

Meanwhile, the two Governments (Uganda and Japan) also signed a grant contract for 17 more ambulance vehicles which will be delivered in June this year.

According to the arrangements, the second phase which will be provided in June, will cover two cities and 15 districts, including Arua City, Mbale City and districts of Nebbi, Kotido, Masindi, Mubende, Mityana, Uganda, Bushenyi and Lyantonde.

Other districts are Kabale, Paliisa, Bugiri, Busia and Buikwe.

Speaking at the Grant contract signing and handover ceremony at the health ministry headquarters in Kampala, minister Jane Ruth Aceng said the 27 ambulances meet the specifications for type B nature as per the emergency medical services policy, while the five firetrucks meet the standards as outlined by the Police directorate of fire and rescue services.

She underscored the need for more emergency support, pointing out that based on the 2022 population of Uganda, the country needs 517 ambulances (road, marine and air), 441 type B emergency basic life support road ambulances, 50 type C, six air and 20 marine ambulances.

The minister revealed that at the moment, the country has a total of 276 type B and C ambulances leaving a gap 241 at both constituency and referral hospital levels. She said with the addition of 27 more ambulances, the gap has reduced to 214, noting that the government is taking steps to fill the gap by Financial Year 2026/27.

"We are grateful to our friends of Japan for this timely donation. This will greatly supplement our efforts to strengthen the national emergency response systems which has for long been lacking," Aceng said.

On the other hand, the minister said the country has another type A government ambulances and 172 type PNFP ambulances, which she said are not well equipped though are operational.

She noted that other areas that required coverage are the highways due to what she described as ever-increasing carnage and urban areas in response to chemical, biological, radiological nuclear and explosive risks.

Aceng noted that the ongoing Ebola and Mpox epidemics underscore the need for both type C and neonatal ambulances citing the surging cases of newborn babies who get cross-infection from the mothers.

"I appreciate technical teams of both countries who have worked hard to see these facilities donated. These will help to improve emergency response to patients with life-threatening medical conditions across the country, " Aceng said.

Upon receiving fire trucks, Deputy Inspector General of Police (IGP) James Ocaya commended Japan's support, highlighting the existing partnership between the Police and the Japanese government, which he said has enabled the force to receive various support in fulfilling its mandate.

"It is worth mentioning that in February 2020, we received four fire trucks, one rescue truck and one command van. These facilitated us to open Kamuli Fire Station, Namanve Industrial Park Fire Station, Elegu border Fire Station, and police headquarters Fire Station.," Ocaya said.

During the same event, Sasayama Takuya, the Ambassador of Japan to Uganda, said GGP received more than 400 applications.

He said another area of focus is the management capacity of the organisation, including the maintenance of the grant item after the completion of the project.

He asked the Government to ensure proper handling and usage of the equipment saying they would carry out impromptu visits and checks.

"Please remember to maintain the vehicles well. Our team will visit and check the vehicles' condition two years later," he said.