KAMPALA, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- Uganda and neighboring Rwanda will conduct a joint cross-border health preparedness exercise to strengthen their capacity to respond to public health emergencies.
Uganda's Ministry of Health said in a statement issued Sunday that the three-day simulation exercise, scheduled to begin Nov. 10 at the Katuna/Gatuna One Stop Border Post, will bring together health officials from the two countries and other partners to test coordination, information sharing and referral arrangements during potential public health emergencies.
The exercise will use simulated scenarios to assess preparedness and enhance cross-border cooperation between the two neighboring countries, the ministry said.
"These activities are part of the exercise and should not be mistaken for an actual health emergency," the statement said.
The exercise will include drills involving health workers and other border agencies, with members of the public likely to observe some of the activities.
According to the ministry, the initiative aims to strengthen public health protection while ensuring the continued safety of cross-border travel and trade.
Uganda and Rwanda share substantial cross-border movement of people and goods, making coordination between their health authorities crucial for detecting and responding to potential disease outbreaks and other public health threats.
The exercise comes as neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to battle an Ebola outbreak, raising concerns about the potential cross-border spread of the disease. Health officials have warned that porous borders increase the risk of transmission to neighboring countries. ■