The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) is calling for investigation, arrest, and prosecution of anyone involved in allegedly sneaking an Ebola patient into Kenya. The lobby group’s Deputy Secretary General, Dr. Dennis Miskellah, stated that the incident poses a serious security and public health risk. According to him, people involved in the movement of the patient, including family members, knew he was critically ill and should have alerted security agencies and the government.
Dr. Miskellah expressed concern that the patient, who had reportedly been ill for about a month, was not declared at the border, despite coming to Kenya seeking treatment. He questioned why the patient and his companions deliberately avoided official routes, instead traveling by road from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) through Uganda. This action, according to Miskellah, amounts to criminal negligence and has exposed millions of Kenyans to the risk of Ebola infection.
The KMPDU official emphasized that the patient could not have traveled to Kenya alone and questioned the role of those who may have helped him evade screening points. Miskellah claimed that the actions of the patient and his companions were selfish and risked the entire nation. He urged citizens to act responsibly during outbreaks and called for stronger cross-border partnerships and sharing of information between countries.
Dr. Miskellah also questioned Kenya’s preparedness to manage Ebola, citing counties' ability to provide blood supplies for patients with the haemorrhagic disease. He noted that the country continues to face blood shortages, which could worsen during an Ebola outbreak. Additionally, he asked whether healthcare workers who served during the Covid-19 pandemic would be willing to risk their lives again in an outbreak caused by reckless actions.
The Deputy Secretary General urged the government to strengthen surveillance and preparedness, warning that infectious diseases do not respect borders or gaps in health systems. He emphasized that the era of pandemics is here, and the world is a global village. Miskellah called for the government to step up and build cross-border partnerships and knowledge sharing to prevent the spread of diseases.
Kenya has reported its first-ever case of Ebola Virus Disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus. The incident has raised concerns about the country's preparedness to handle the outbreak. The government and health officials are working to contain the spread of the disease and prevent further cases.
The KMPDU's call for arrests and prosecution of those involved in sneaking the Ebola patient into Kenya highlights the need for vigilance and cooperation in preventing the spread of infectious diseases. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible behavior and prompt reporting of suspected cases to prevent outbreaks.
Key points
- The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) demands investigation, arrest, and prosecution of those who allegedly sneaked an Ebola patient into Kenya.
- Dr. Dennis Miskellah questions Kenya's preparedness to manage Ebola, citing blood shortages and the willingness of healthcare workers to risk their lives.
- The incident highlights the need for stronger cross-border partnerships and sharing of information between countries to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
