Kenya allocates Sh6.7 billion to battle Mpox outbreak

The Ministry of Health has set aside over Sh6.7 billion to manage Mpox outbreaks across the country, as part of its comprehensive preparedness and response strategy.

The plan, officially signed by Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni and Acting Deputy Director General of Health Sultani Matendechero, details a multi-faceted approach to tackling the disease.

The allocated budget has been categorised into three main areas: local containment, regional control and national management.

For local containment, Sh1.7 billion has been designated, including Sh800 million for temporary isolation spaces in high-risk counties, Sh230 million for treatment commodities and Mpox training units, Sh195 million for case referral and contact tracing, Sh92 million for training and community sensitisation, Sh120 million for school community awareness, Sh50 million for protective equipment and hand sanitisers and Sh10 million for thermoguns and thermoscanner maintenance.

Additionally, Sh2.7 million has been allocated to subcommittees and stakeholders for mapping meetings.

Regional control

For regional control, which targets fewer than five counties, the budget includes Sh941 million for enhancing health worker capabilities, Sh240 million for reverse osmosis water treatment equipment, Sh200 million for risk communication and community engagement, Sh100 million for infection prevention and control in schools, and Sh2.5 million for printing and distributing guidelines.

At the national level, focusing on more than five counties, Sh1 billion has been allocated for risk communication and community engagement, Sh500 million for infection prevention and control, Sh10 million for case referrals, Sh100 million for health worker training, and Sh20 million for technical support to county trainers.

The plan emphasises the importance of surge capacity and enhanced response activities.

“Risk communication and community engagement shall play a key role through the active engagement of the community,” reads the document.

It highlights the need for adaptive strategies to mitigate risks, optimize resource allocation and protect public health, the economy and national stability.

As of now, Kenya has reported five confirmed Mpox cases across Taita Taveta, Busia, Nairobi, Mombasa, and Nakuru.

The National Public Health and Laboratory has tested 149 cases, with six awaiting confirmation. Additionally, 9,917 travellers have been screened in the past 24 hours, bringing the total to 799,663 at 26 ports of entry nationwide.