Madi- Okollo District, West Nile, Uganda: To support the on-going response by Government of Uganda, led by the Ministry of Health to the COVID-19 outbreak in the country, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) recently handed over a consignment of infection prevention commodities to Madi-Okollo District Local Government in the West Nile region. The consignment that was delivered to the district by the UNFPA programme Coordinator West Nile, Denis Bakomeza included masks, gloves and hand sanitizers will be distributed to frontline health workers in the district including those attending to pregnant and lactating mothers.

Receiving the consignment, the Local Council V Chairperson, Mr. Genesis Acema, commended UNFPA as a unique partner who has always been there to support both humanitarian and development efforts in the district in the context of sexual and reproductive health. “I appreciate the support of UNFPA, including the programme that we had just started before the outbreak of COVID-19, to ensure access to sexual reproductive health and rights information and services, with funding from the Netherlands,” said Mr. Acema. “We hope that such programmes will go a long way in addressing the high rates of teenage pregnancy in the district, as well as the rampant home deliveries.”

As the nationwide lockdown due to COVID-19 continues to bite with many expectant mothers struggling to access maternity care due to challenges getting transport, pressure on health workers is mounting due to the nature of their job that puts them at risk of catching any communicable disease, including COVID-19 if no proper protective gear is provided. “The support from UNFPA to Madi-Okollo district is very timely,” said the District Health Officer (DHO), Sr. Justine Anduma.

As of 15th April, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Uganda had risen to 53, since the first case was reported on 21st March, 2020. There has not been any COVID-19 deaths in Uganda.