NAIROBI— Health ministers from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Member States have intensified regional coordination efforts following the escalating outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and confirmed infections in Uganda.
The high-level virtual coordination meeting, convened by IGAD Executive Secretary Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, brought together Ministers of Health, representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO) Africa Regional Office, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), and other global health partners.
The discussions focused on strengthening regional preparedness and response mechanisms through enhanced collaboration, timely information sharing, coordinated action, and resource mobilization aimed at containing the spread of the deadly disease and safeguarding regional health security.
Participants underscored the critical role of IGAD, working closely with Africa CDC, WHO, and other international partners, in coordinating preparedness and response initiatives across the region.
The meeting also reviewed progress made under the IGAD Pandemic Preparedness and Response initiatives, particularly in strengthening surveillance systems, laboratory networks, emergency coordination structures, and regional preparedness frameworks.
Speaking during the engagement, Kenya’s Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale commended IGAD for convening the timely Extraordinary Ministerial Meeting and reaffirmed Kenya’s solidarity with Uganda following the outbreak.
He emphasized the importance of strengthened regional coordination, collective preparedness, and cross-border collaboration in addressing public health threats within the highly interconnected IGAD region.
Duale further highlighted the importance of the Pandemic Fund-supported PREPARE Project in enhancing surveillance systems, laboratory capacity, emergency coordination, and rapid response mechanisms across Member States.
He also supported the reprogramming of resources toward urgent outbreak preparedness priorities.
According to updates shared during the meeting, the DRC has recorded more than 200 confirmed Ebola cases and over 1,000 suspected infections, raising concern among regional health authorities over the potential spread of the virus across borders.
Member States reaffirmed their commitment to accountability, transparency, stronger cross-border coordination, and collective response efforts aimed at preventing further transmission of the disease.
Health leaders at the meeting called for sustained regional cooperation and increased support from international partners to strengthen the region’s capacity to respond swiftly and effectively to emerging public health threats.
