Uganda and Rwanda have concluded a joint public health emergency preparedness and response simulation exercise at the Katuna/Gatuna border to strengthen cross-border coordination and readiness to respond to public health threats.
The exercise tested how quickly health teams from both countries could detect a suspected case, alert their counterparts, and coordinate an effective response in the event of a public health emergency.
Uganda’s delegation was led by the Minister of State for Health (Primary Health Care), Dr. Charles Ayume, who emphasised the importance of regional collaboration in safeguarding communities.
“It is therefore in our shared interest to strengthen cooperation, build trust and establish practical mechanisms that enable us to anticipate, detect and respond to public health threats together,” Dr. Ayume said.
The exercise allowed both countries to assess their preparedness systems, identify areas for improvement, and strengthen communication and coordination mechanisms to ensure timely, effective responses to cross-border health emergencies.
