India has delivered its first batch of medical aid to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) in response to the ongoing Ebola outbreak affecting parts of Africa, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on May 29.
The development comes after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on May 17.
During the MEA’s weekly press briefing, spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that India had provided medical supplies to Africa CDC. The consignment was formally handed over by India’s High Commissioner in Uganda to the Africa CDC office.
“We have supplied medical assistance to Africa CDC and remain committed to extending further support, as required, to affected countries and the CDC,” Jaiswal said.
Established in 2016 under the African Union, Africa CDC serves as a specialized public health agency that helps member states strengthen disease surveillance, prevention, detection, and emergency response capabilities. The organization works closely with African nations to address gaps in healthcare infrastructure, workforce capacity, and public health preparedness.
Jaiswal added that the government would share further updates regarding India’s assistance efforts as more developments emerge.
Responding to questions about the postponed fourth India-Africa Forum Summit, originally scheduled to take place in New Delhi in late May, Jaiswal said there was no immediate update on a revised timeline for the event.
According to international media reports, the Congolese government has recorded more than 1,000 suspected Ebola cases and at least 220 deaths since officially declaring the outbreak on May 15.
