Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has said Kenya requires Sh2.6 billion to strengthen its preparedness for a potential Ebola outbreak, citing critical gaps in case management, infection prevention and emergency logistics, despite the country’s strong surveillance and laboratory capacity.
Appearing before the National Assembly on Wednesday, Duale said the funds would enable the government to prepare for the first 100 Ebola cases should the disease be detected in the country.
According to the CS, the resources will support border screening and surveillance, laboratory services, risk communication, data management, surge staffing, emergency logistics, operational research and social protection for frontline healthcare workers.
Duale said the funding requirement was informed by a readiness assessment that identified both strengths and weaknesses in Kenya’s Ebola preparedness framework.
On the performance indicators, Kenya scored 100 per cent in contact tracing, 90 per cent in rapid response teams and 87 per cent in laboratory readiness.
However, preparedness levels were lower in other areas, including infection prevention and control at 56 per cent, operational support and logistics at 50 per cent, case management at 36 per cent, and travel and points of entry readiness at 60 per cent.
“These findings are not a sign of inaction. They are a reflection of transparent assessment. They allow the government to know precisely where to invest, what to strengthen and how to close the preparedness gaps before a case is detected,” Duale told MPs.
He identified urgent needs including Ebola-specific personal protective equipment, diagnostic tests and reagents, isolation and quarantine facilities, emergency logistics and rapid deployment support.
The CS also appealed for timely allocation and release of emergency preparedness resources, warning that delays in financing could undermine the country’s ability to respond effectively to a public health emergency.
“I therefore request the support of this House in ensuring timely allocation and release of emergency preparedness resources. In public health emergencies, delayed financing is delayed protection and a risk to the public,” the CS appealed.
The funding request comes amid heightened regional efforts to strengthen Ebola preparedness. The United States has pledged approximately US$13.5 million (Sh1.7 billion) to support Kenya’s Ebola preparedness initiatives, including a proposed quarantine facility at the Laikipia Air Base in Nanyuki that has sparked public debate and legal challenges.
Regional bloc IGAD has also announced plans to allocate about US$1 million (approximately Sh129 million) to each member state as part of an US$8.5 million regional Ebola preparedness and response package.
The government says the proposed investments will enhance disease surveillance, strengthen emergency response systems and improve Kenya’s capacity to contain any potential Ebola outbreak before it spreads.
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