African militaries play crucial role in COVID-19 battle
Ghana, Senegal and Uganda have decided to deploy military field hospitals to support their national responses to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak.
It comes after US Africa Command (USAFRICOM) provided extensive medical training and equipment to the three nations in 2019 including setting up these hospitals.
Rwanda also received the same training and support but has not announced the deployment of its UN-standard Level 2 hospitals.
The military training formed part of a wider programme known as the African Peacekeeping Rapid Response Partnership and was funded by the US State Department.
USAF Lt Gen James Vechery, Deputy Commander at USAFRICOM, said: ‘As we work shoulder to shoulder, it is exciting to see our African partners putting the capabilities we’ve developed over the past few years to such great use during this global pandemic.’
Each hospital includes 14 shelters covering 7,426ft2, with an ICU, a radiology unit and 20 beds.
More from Defence Notes
-
![Amazon Project Kuiper emphasises user-friendly solutions for multi-domain connectivity (Studio)]()
Amazon Project Kuiper emphasises user-friendly solutions for multi-domain connectivity (Studio)
At DSEI 2025, Shephard's Alix Valenti spoke to Project Kuiper's Rich Pang about the importance of enabling seamless communication between allied forces such as NATO members in challenging operational environments.
-
![Israel defence ministry pushes ambitious spending plans for tanks, drones and KC-46 aircraft]()
Israel defence ministry pushes ambitious spending plans for tanks, drones and KC-46 aircraft
The procurement and acceleration production plans – some of which still await approval – across the air and land domains will aim to strengthen the operational needs of the Israel Defense Forces.
-
![US reforms its defence acquisition system to focus on commercial capabilities]()
US reforms its defence acquisition system to focus on commercial capabilities
This shift is planned to accelerate the procurement and fielding of capabilities. As part of this strategy, the US also intends modernise its regulations in an attempt to change its bureaucratic and risk-averse culture.
