Kenya receives Sh171 million Ebola response equipment

Kenya has received laboratory equipment and protective gear worth Sh171 million to strengthen its preparedness and response to Ebola, with the Ministry of Health set to distribute the supplies to designated health facilities.

The distribution is scheduled to begin on Friday afternoon, following support from the government and development partners as authorities intensify efforts to contain the reported imported case and prevent further transmission.

The announcement was made during a Friday morning meeting of the national Ebola Taskforce attended by Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni, Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr Ouma Oluga and Government Spokesperson Charles Owino.

Muthoni said the supplies would be distributed to facilities identified as being in high-risk areas to strengthen their capacity to handle suspected cases and protect healthcare workers involved in the response.

"The country has so far received support of Sh171 million in terms of laboratory equipment and protective gear that would be distributed to facilities that are in high-risk areas," she stated.

She called on development partners to continue supporting the country's containment efforts, cautioning against the possibility of the disease spreading beyond the reported imported case.

The ministry is coordinating the response across different levels of government and with private-sector partners to ensure a coordinated approach to preparedness, detection and containment.

Oluga assured healthcare workers, particularly those on the frontline, that the government was taking measures to support and protect them as they respond to the threat posed by the virus.

He said the government recognised the risks faced by medical personnel and was working to ensure they had the necessary support to carry out their duties.

The taskforce meeting came as health officials continued tracing people who may have come into contact with the reported case.

Muthoni said contact-tracing teams were working to identify all individuals linked to the patient, with the ministry hoping to establish the full list of contacts and take the necessary action within 48 hours.

Contact tracing is a key component of efforts to contain infectious diseases, as it helps health authorities identify potentially exposed individuals, monitor their health and take appropriate measures to limit further transmission.

Owino urged politicians to avoid making irresponsible comments about the outbreak, particularly by spreading false information.

He warned that reckless statements could undermine the government's response, create unnecessary public fear and affect the country's image among visitors and investors.

Owino said pandemics could reverse gains made in various sectors, cautioning against communication that could complicate efforts to manage the situation.