Yunnan experts share COVID-19 treatment expertise with Uganda via video conference

Medical experts from China's Yunnan Provincial Infectious Disease Hospital on Wednesday shared their COVID-19 treatment experience with their Ugandan counterparts via video conference.

The Yunnan medics shared their expertise in COVID-19 prevention and control strategy with their colleagues at the China-Uganda Friendship Hospital in the capital Kampala.

The two sides discussed clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment experience. They also talked about nursing care for patients with COVID-19 and personal protection of medical staff.

Dong Xingqi, director of the Yunnan Provincial Infectious Disease Hospital said combating COVID-19 requires joint cooperation.

He was optimistic that sharing experiences through video conferencing would be one of the ways that the two countries can jointly fight the pandemic that is rapidly spreading across the world.

Zheng Zhuqiang, Chinese ambassador to Uganda told the meeting that China and Uganda will jointly fight the pandemic.

Zheng said Uganda has taken stringent measures to curb the spread of the disease and this explains as to why the confirmed cases in the country are low compared to some of its neighbors in the east African region.

Emmanuel Batiibwe, the director of China-Uganda Friendship Hospital said the hospital was one of those designated in the country to treat COVID-19 cases.

Batiibwe said the hospital has so far isolated 58 cases, which all turned out negative and were discharged.

He said although the hospital faces challenges like shortage of masks, personal protective equipment, among others, the health personnel have continued to work.

According to the ministry of health figures, Uganda currently has 61 confirmed cases, 41 of these have been discharged from hospital.

The country has implemented several measures like a 35-day lockdown to limit the spread of the disease. The country also closed its borders to incoming and outgoing international travelers except for cargo transportation.

Editor: John Li