The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has called for urgent measures to protect healthcare workers following Kenya's confirmation of its first imported case of Bundibugyo Ebola virus disease. In a statement issued by Secretary General Davji Atellah, KMPDU expressed deep sorrow and concern over the confirmed case and the subsequent death of the patient while receiving treatment at Nairobi Hospital. The union extended its condolences to the deceased patient's family and recognised the healthcare workers who attended to him.
Kenya confirmed its first imported Ebola case on Tuesday, with Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale stating that the patient was a Kenyan citizen who had lived in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for seven years and had fallen ill about a month before travelling to Kenya. The patient travelled by road from the DRC to Kampala, Uganda, before boarding Jambojet flight 8523 to Nairobi on Saturday, October 3. He arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at about 1:10 pm and underwent routine public health screening before proceeding through immigration.
KMPDU demands that all healthcare workers who may have come into contact with the patient, either at Nairobi Hospital or other points of care, receive immediate medical monitoring, psychological support and appropriate follow-up. The union also called on every health facility to have access to specialised personal protective equipment (PPE), infection prevention protocols and training required to safely manage suspected Ebola cases. This comes as the union criticised delays that can prevent healthcare workers from accessing services through the Social Health Authority (SHA).
The union further urged counties without adequate medical cover for their employees to provide the necessary protection to healthcare workers. KMPDU argued that frontline health workers understand the practical challenges and risks within the healthcare system and should therefore have a role in decisions on containment, infection prevention and worker protection. The union said it would continue monitoring the situation and engaging authorities to ensure the necessary safeguards are implemented.
KMPDU also called for transparent contact tracing, urging the government to ensure that healthcare workers and members of the public receive regular and accurate information. The union urged the government to immediately confirm that isolation and high-consequence infectious disease treatment units at regional referral facilities are functional, adequately equipped and staffed by trained personnel. This, the union said, would ensure that the country is prepared to handle future cases.
Health authorities have identified 28 contacts, including family members and healthcare workers who attended to the patient. They are also tracing 23 passengers and four crew members who travelled on the same flight from Kampala to Nairobi. The patient presented with symptoms including fever, chills, intense fatigue, weakness, muscle pain, painful swallowing, sore throat and bleeding under the skin at an injection site.
The union's call for protection of healthcare workers comes as a national priority, with KMPDU stating that when healthcare workers are protected, the entire country is protected. The Ministry of Health has confirmed Kenya's first imported case of Bundibugyo Ebola virus disease, with the patient dying at about 11:30 pm on Monday while receiving supportive treatment.
Key points
- Healthcare workers who may have come into contact with the patient are to receive immediate medical monitoring and psychological support.
- The union urges the government to ensure isolation and treatment facilities are fully equipped and staffed.
- Contact tracing is being conducted to identify individuals who may have come into contact with the patient.
