Dr Atwine, WHO Chief Tedros Meet Diplomats, Urge Countries To Lift Ebola Travel Restrictions

Uganda’s Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO) have called on countries that imposed travel restrictions over the ongoing Ebola outbreak to reconsider their decisions, arguing that such measures undermine response efforts and international cooperation.

The appeal was made during a high-level meeting convened by the Ministry of Health with support from WHO, bringing together WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, ambassadors, heads of mission and development partners to receive an update on Uganda’s Ebola response.

Leading the Ministry’s delegation, Permanent Secretary Diana Atwine reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to transparency, timely information sharing and evidence-based response measures.

Dr. Atwine attributed the progress made in containing the outbreak to the strong political commitment of President Yoweri Museveni, whom she said has consistently championed Uganda’s response to public health emergencies.

She also emphasized Uganda’s commitment to regional solidarity, particularly with neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo.

“DRC is our brother country and through regional partnerships and efforts, we shall be able to defeat this outbreak,” Dr. Atwine said.

Addressing concerns over travel restrictions imposed by some countries, Dr. Atwine urged governments to review their positions, noting that Uganda continues to implement robust surveillance, prevention and response measures.

Echoing her remarks, Dr. Tedros said travel restrictions are not an effective tool for controlling Ebola outbreaks and can instead hinder the movement of essential supplies, personnel and commodities required for response operations.

He warned that such measures risk undermining trust, transparency and international cooperation, while commending countries that have adhered to WHO guidance by avoiding unnecessary travel and trade restrictions.

Health Ministry Permanent Secretary Dr Diana Atwine

The WHO chief stressed that governments must remain in the lead of outbreak responses, with development partners aligning behind a unified framework guided by “one plan, one budget and one monitoring and evaluation framework.”

Dr. Tedros further praised the Ministry of Health’s handling of the outbreak under Dr. Atwine’s leadership and reaffirmed WHO’s continued support to Uganda’s response efforts.

The meeting comes as Uganda intensifies measures to contain the outbreak while working closely with regional and international partners to prevent further spread of the disease.