Kenyan doctors have expressed alarm over the government's efforts in contact tracing after the country confirmed its first case of the Ebola virus and subsequent death on Tuesday. According to doctors Dennis Miskellah and Joseph Kariuki, the reporting of the case on Tuesday, despite the patient landing in the country on Saturday, indicates laxity by the government. They questioned why the patient was allowed to leave Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for Nairobi Hospital after arriving from Uganda, where he had traveled from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The two medics appeared on KTN on Tuesday night and raised concerns about the country's preparedness to fight the virus. They stated that the government should have put more focus on preventing the virus from entering the country instead of preparing to respond. Miskellah added that the government should crack the whip and take action against those who slept on their jobs, allowing the patient to leave the airport despite being sick. The doctors emphasized that time is of the essence in containing the virus.
Dr. Kariuki highlighted that Kenya was not prepared to test the virus, as results took more than two days to come out, whereas they should be available within four to six hours. He stressed that the disease requires systemic control from the government and that there is a need for political goodwill to fight the virus. The doctors also argued that counties should not play politics and should focus on improving their health systems to combat the virus.
Andrew Wasike, a senior nursing official at Kenyatta National Hospital, reported that 11 people who were in contact with the deceased patient were already in isolation as of Tuesday evening. He stated that the national government and Nairobi County had reached out to all people who had contact with the patient for isolation. The doctors called on governors to take responsibility for improving health in their counties.
Kenya has only five testing centers, including the National Public Health Laboratory, KEMRI Nairobi, KEMRI Kisumu, and two mobile clinics stationed in Busia and Bungoma counties. The available treatment facilities include Kenyatta National Hospital, Kenya National Police Hospital, and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret. The government has identified isolation and treatment sites in at least 29 counties, with a focus on constructing additional facilities in border counties.
The United States of America has a treatment facility at the Laikipia Airbase, developed in partnership with the Kenya Defence Forces. The government has assured Kenyans that it is taking measures to prevent the spread of the virus. Dr. Kalebi urged Kenyans to remain calm and assured them of their safety.
The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Doctors and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has demanded urgent protection of healthcare workers after the Ebola case. The World Health Organization (WHO) has backed Kenya, DRC, and Uganda in their Ebola response efforts. The incident has raised concerns about Kenya's preparedness to handle the virus.
Key points
- Kenyan doctors warn of laxity in Ebola contact tracing
- Government urged to take action against those who failed to prevent the virus from entering the country
- Kenya has only five testing centers and limited treatment facilities for Ebola
