Cushion economy against virus effects, Uhuru to response team
George Kebaso @Morarak
President Uhuru Kenyatta has directed the National Emergency Response Committee on Coronavirus to make necessary review and adjustment of budgets towards prevention and management of the COVID-19 in the event of an outbreak in the country.
“I am also urging you to cushion the economy against the negative effects of the pandemic,” the President told the committee while receiving the initial report from team two weeks since it was established as the Ministry of Health plans to carry out the first public simulation exercise of an emergency response.
The team led by Health Cabinet secretary Mutahi Kagwe handed over the report to the president at State House Nairobi indicating that all the preparations to tackle the virus in case of an outbreak, are complete. They also confirmed that so far there is no single case of the COVID-19 that has been detected in the country.
“The Committee informed the President that as of today, Kenya has not registered any case of the coronavirus and remains vigilant in monitoring and screening of all persons entering Kenya by different modes of transport,” the report states.
On Wednesday, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared COVID19 a global pandemic. The report is in tandem with the CS’ media briefing yesterday at a Nairobi hotel that both the National and County Governments are fully prepared for any eventuality. This is in line with the Executive Order No. 2 issued on 28th February 2020.
Simulation exercise
“On Sunday, March 15, 2020 at 11am we will conduct a simulation exercise, meaning we will imitate an emergency drill to demonstrate our level of preparedness.
The exercise is a test case for preparedness,” Kagwe said after meeting stakeholders in the health sector in the country who were also joined by a team development partners.
The Cs said this kind of exercise will also be extended to all the counties, in order for the public to understand the government’s level of preparedness in tackling the threat of the virus.
“All our Level Four and Five health facilities in the country have been prepared for any emergency. We want to ensure that we are ready,” he said appealing to Kenyans to be aware that such drills will be conducted from time to time.
He, however, cautioned against profiling in a xhenophic manner, persons of Asian origin. Some of Kagwe’s sentiments were also contained in the report delivered to the President.
The committee briefed the Head-of-State on the measures that have been taken to cushion the country against the viral disease.
“These measures include; the mandatory screening of all persons entering Kenya through airports, sea ports and land crossings; isolation and treatment capacity at Mbagathi Hospital which is now ready for use; and establishment of isolation capacity in Level Four and Five hospitals across the country in collaboration with County governments.
Other measures were; the provision of backup capacity for treatment at Kenyatta University Teaching Research and Referral Hospital, Kenyatta National Hospital and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital as well as privately owned health facilities.
“We have also enhanced the training and sensitisation of healthcare workers, service providers in the transport sector including matatu crews, taxis, security personnel, airport and border staff among others,” the report states in part.
The committee has also suspended all international conferences, meetings and events scheduled to take place in Kenya for a period of 30 days.
