Sigh Of Relief As ACAV Donates Shs43m Medical Supplies To Fight Mpox In DRC
Officials in DRC while receiving some of the medical supplies donated by ACAV Uganda
DRC: A significant advancement in healthcare has been realized in the Chefferie de Kakwa community of Ituri Province, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
This is after ACAV Uganda with funding from Provincia Autonoma di Trento, donated medical supplies worth Shs43 million (about USD11,000) to the community.
The initiative is part of ACAV’s Emergency Response to Combat Mpox project. The handover of the medical supplies was witnessed by the area cultural Chief, health officials, civil society and development officers.
“ACAV is well known for its interventions in agriculture and livelihood, we are not very known for health initiatives. But health is very important, when people are sick, they cannot go to the farm,” said Isaac Amule, the Project Manager, ACAV Uganda.
Since December 2024, health officials have been trained under the project in a bid to improve their diagnostic and treatment capabilities.
At least four boreholes were also drilled and five water wells constructed to ensure communities have access to clean and safe water with the aim of reducing waterborne diseases in the area.
Officials further said the project facilitated awareness campaigns to educate the public about Mpox prevention and control measures.
“These efforts aim to empower local communities with the resources and knowledge necessary to manage and prevent health crises effectively,” Amule said
The Mpox outbreak has severely impacted Central and Eastern Africa. Since January 1, 2024, over 21,000 cases and more than 65 deaths have been reported in the DRC and its neighbouring countries.
The situation is particularly challenging in the regions of Eastern DRC where poverty, displacement and conflict exacerbate health vulnerabilities.