The Ugandan government has stated that they have no knowledge of any new Ebola treatment facilities in their nation following assertions from the White House of Donald Trump that such centers were established.
Earlier this week, the US Department of State declared that it was providing funding for up to 50 treatment clinics in Ebola-affected areas of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda in light of the current outbreak in Central Africa, which has resulted in 131 deaths and over 530 infections.
However, the Ugandan Ministry of Health refuted claims of the existence of any treatment centers and affirmed that the country is safe, with the two reported fatalities involving patients imported from the DRC.
Through a statement on Twitter, they clarified, “The Ministry of Health has not been consulted regarding the establishment of the treatment centers mentioned, and therefore, we are unaware of their locations within the country.”
“We reiterate that Uganda has only recorded two imported Ebola cases: one fatality and one patient currently receiving treatment with positive progress under close medical supervision. There have been no local transmissions, and the country remains secure.”
Questions have arisen regarding whether the initial statement, which highlighted $23 million in bilateral foreign aid for both the DRC and Uganda, was thoroughly verified.
An update on Tuesday disclosed, “Today, the United States pledged significant support to promptly aid the response by funding up to 50 treatment clinics and associated frontline expenses being set up in Ebola-affected regions of the DRC and Uganda.”
“These promptly established clinics will enable implementing partners to establish clinical care and containment perimeters around affected areas. The clinics will offer vital services.”
Meanwhile, Trump’s administration has prohibited individuals who recently traveled to either country from entering the US unless they arrive at Washington Dulles International Airport and undergo enhanced screening.
On Thursday, US Customs and Border Protection reported that an Air France flight heading to Detroit was diverted to Montreal after a passenger from the Congo mistakenly boarded the flight in Paris due to the travel restrictions.
An agency spokesperson mentioned that the passenger should not have boarded the plane on Wednesday due to the US entry restrictions imposed to mitigate the risk of Ebola transmission.
The spokesperson added in an email that officials took decisive action by preventing the flight carrying the traveler from landing at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport and redirecting it to Montreal, Canada.
Air France confirmed that the Congolese passenger was denied entry into the US due to new regulations requiring travelers from certain countries, including the Congo, to enter only through Washington DC.