- This comes even as at least six medical workers are reported to have contracted the virus in Central Uganda
- The ministry has however maintained that it has heightened surveillance and screening at all our points of entry
Image: MAGDALINE SAYA
Doctors want the government to increase treatment centres for Ebola virus even as a 40-bed capacity wing is nearing completion at Kenyatta National Hospital.
They further want regional temporary isolation facilities equipped with critical healthcare staff and relevant emergency equipment set up as part of the country’s preparedness to handle the disease should it strike.
This comes even as at least six medical workers are reported to have contracted the virus in Central Uganda, with one having succumbed to the disease while undergoing treatment.
The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union has cast doubt on the Ministry of Health’s preparedness to handle Ebola, should cases be registered in the country.
The union has said the delay in releasing the test results of the suspected case reported in Kakamega on Friday shows lack of preparedness.
“The ministry should deploy rapid response teams which comprise epidemiologists to track down potential movement of the disease. The teams should also involve lab experts and other critical support staff,” KMPDU secretary general Davji Atellah said.
“There is need to set up isolation centres and stock them with necessary medical and equipment supplies and provide adequate personal preventive equipment in case of suspected or reported ebola virus case in the country,” he added.
They noted that EVD surveillance and rapid response functions can’t be efficient if not well equipped to manage all suspected ebola cases immediately and further demanded that healthcare workers be trained on response mechanisms when dealing with suspected or confirmed ebola cases.
The union has further called on the government to intensify border surveillance and points of entry screening, air, road and water.
“Simulation exercises should be conducted. This is not just a standard medical practice but a strategy to create awareness and reduce community transmissions.”
This, they said, should involve training of critical healthcare staff in public hospitals including the critical referral centres on how to identify and handle possible EVD patients.
The ministry has however maintained that it has heightened surveillance and screening at all points of entry to curtail the spread of the virus into the country.
Health director general Patrick Amoth in a statement instead appealed to members of the public to minimise their movements in and out of the country through entry points along Western border unless it is extremely necessary.
“Those crossing at any of our border points should exercise maximum care as advised and guided by our health personnel at the entry points,” Amoth said.
The deadly virus is quickly spreading in the neighbouring country where it has infected 54 people and killed 25 by Sunday.
The latest victim is a Tanzanian doctor who died on Saturday in Kabarole, a city in Western Uganda.
There is no vaccine for the Sudan strain of the disease behind the latest Uganda infections.
-Edited by SKanyara