Kigali, 17 February 2022

The Chiefs/Directors of the health services of the EAC Partner States Armed Forces have convened in Kigali from 17th to 18th February 2022, to discuss strategies to mitigate against health threats to the EAC Partner States’ Armed Forces and develop modalities of collaboration in medical research and carry out assessments of medical facilities offered by the Republic of Rwanda.

In his remarks, while opening the meeting on behalf of the Chief of Defence Staff, Maj Gen Ferdinand Safari, the Director General of Policy and Strategy in the Ministry of Defence said that the current crisis caused by Covid-19 pandemic increased the importance of preparedness in dealing with the threat of infectious diseases among others.

“We are conscious that military deployments may lead to an import/export of a number of infectious agents and this requires collective response, justifying this kind of forum” he said, adding that collaboration and sharing of health information among Partner States remains crucial in dealing with current and future health challenges.

Brigadier (Dr) Achieng Obilo from Kenya, the chairman of the meeting said that the deliberations will focus mainly on formulating guiding standing procedures to support all East African Partner Member States to carry out their military operations in the Covid-19 pandemic environment.

The meeting of the Chiefs/Directors health services of the EAC Partner States’ Armed Forces is convened in accordance with Article 2 of the EAC Protocol on Cooperation in Defence Affairs and pursuant to the EAC Defence Sector Calendar of Activities for the period January - June 2022.