Kenya has received laboratory equipment and protective gear worth Sh171 million as health authorities step up efforts to contain a reported imported case of Ebola and prevent further transmission.
The Ministry of Health plans to distribute the supplies to health facilities in high-risk areas, strengthening their ability to detect suspected cases and protect frontline medical workers.
The announcement was made on Friday during a 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 equipment would be sent to facilities identified as particularly vulnerable to the outbreak.
“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 said.
She urged development partners to continue supporting Kenya’s containment efforts, warning that authorities needed to guard against further spread of the virus.
Oluga said the government recognised the risks facing healthcare workers and was taking steps to ensure they had the protection and support needed to respond to suspected infections.
Meanwhile, health officials are tracing people who may have come into contact with the reported case. Muthoni said the teams were working to identify all contacts, with the ministry aiming to establish a complete list within 48 hours.
Contact tracing allows health authorities to identify potentially exposed people, monitor their health and take action to reduce the risk of further transmission.
Owino called on politicians to avoid spreading misinformation about the outbreak, warning that irresponsible public statements could fuel fear and undermine the response.
He also cautioned that a poorly managed outbreak could reverse progress in key sectors and affect Kenya’s reputation among visitors and investors.
The government is coordinating its preparedness and response measures across different levels of administration, alongside private-sector partners and development agencies.
The effectiveness of the response will depend on early detection, the protection of health workers and the ability of authorities to identify and monitor people who may have been exposed to the virus.
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