The government is distributing Ksh 171 million worth of laboratory equipment and protective gear to health facilities in high-risk areas on Friday as the government steps up preparedness following a reported imported Ebola case.
Principal Secretaries Mary Muthoni of Public Health and Dr Ouma Oluga of Medical Services said the government was coordinating with county authorities, private-sector partners and development agencies to contain the threat and prevent further transmission.
Muthoni says the supplies would be dispatched to designated health facilities from Friday afternoon, adding that authorities were intensifying contact tracing in a bid to identify everyone linked to the reported case within 48 hours.
She urged development partners to provide additional assistance to strengthen the response, while Olugaassured frontline health workers that the government was taking steps to protect them as they manage the situation.
Government spokesperson Charles Owino, who is part of the national Ebola taskforce, urged politicians to avoid spreading unverified information about the virus, warning that misleading statements could undermine containment efforts and damage confidence among visitors and investors.
Owino says the handling and communication of public health emergencies could affect gains made in the country’s economy and other sectors.
The government said its response involved multiple departments and partners as health officials worked to ensure facilities were equipped to manage suspected cases and limit the risk of further spread.