Deadly Ebola outbreak in Uganda – please pray

Immense challenges

Tackling the outbreak has been fraught with challenges, which are contributing to the spread of the highly transmissible disease.

This includes health workers not having adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) – and so are being put at risk of catching Ebola. So far, 18 health workers have become infected and six have died. Medical interns also went on strike due to their salary increases not being fully implemented and because they haven’t been paid in over two months.

The lack of food in the official quarantine centres has also forced multiple people to escape from them – before they are declared free from the infection.

There are also cultural and religious beliefs that are having to be carefully navigated by the government.

For example, many people are seeking treatment from traditional healers first and only reporting to the hospital at the advanced stages of the infection – by which point it is too late.

There was also a case of 23 people becoming infected with Ebola after a body was exhumed by a victim’s family according to his religious beliefs.

Doing everything we can

Tearfund in Uganda will continue to do what we can to make sure our staff, partners and the people we serve are protected. This includes reinforcing handwashing, use of face masks and hand sanitisers. We have also suspended any visits from any members of staff who are not based in Uganda, to help contain the spread.

‘The work that Tearfund and our partners are doing to help people lift themselves out of poverty is not in any of the districts currently affected by the Ebola outbreak,’ shares Paul Ojuman, who leads Tearfund’s work in Uganda.

‘However, there is a concern that it could spread there.

‘The situation here is difficult. We would really value your prayers for this crisis and for the people of Uganda at this time. Thank you.’