Ebola facilities under government control, Duale says

Health CS Aden Duale/FILE

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has clarified concerns over Kenya's Ebola preparedness facilities, insisting that all isolation and treatment centres established across the country remain under the full authority of the Kenyan government and are not foreign-controlled units.

Speaking in the National Assembly on Wednesday, Duale defended the government's Ebola preparedness programme amid questions from lawmakers over the establishment of isolation facilities, including one in Laikipia County, and the role of international partners in supporting the country's response plans.

The CS told MPs that international cooperation on public health emergencies does not amount to surrendering Kenya's sovereignty.

"International cooperation does not mean surrender of our national authority and sovereignty," Duale said.

"All public health decisions within Kenya remain under the authority of the government of Kenya."

He said foreign governments and development partners only provide technical assistance, financing, health commodities, training and logistical support within frameworks approved by Kenyan authorities and consistent with Kenyan laws.

Duale specifically addressed concerns surrounding the isolation facility in Laikipia, saying it was one of 23 centres identified across the country as part of Kenya's preparedness strategy and should not be viewed as a foreign facility.

"I want to assure you that all the facilities which are being established, including the one in Laikipia, are for the protection of the people of Kenya and all persons within Kenya's borders," he said.

"They are not foreign facilities, they are not exclusive facilities, they are not facilities reserved for any nationality. They are public health assets established and coordinated under the authority of the government of Kenya."

The CS said the designation of isolation and quarantine centres was based on scientific advice and legal requirements, not political considerations.

"Every county where we are setting isolation quarantine treatment centres, they are based on science and the law, and it's done by experts who are Kenyans," he said.

Duale further assured lawmakers that Kenyans would receive priority treatment in any of the facilities should the need arise.

"Kenyans will have a priority in admission to any of the centres, including Laikipia," he said.

He urged leaders to focus on protecting public health rather than politicising the issue, noting that similar facilities had also been established in counties including Garissa.

"I don't know what's so special about Laikipia. We have 23 centres, Laikipia included, and Kenya is one. Let us promote one Kenya, one health, and we protect Kenyans regardless of where they come from," Duale said.

The CS also defended the location of isolation centres away from major hospitals, saying this was standard practice in the management of infectious diseases.

He explained that isolation facilities are deliberately separated from areas where ordinary patients seek treatment to minimise the risk of transmission.

"Isolation centres are not part and parcel of the hospital where citizens access other services," he said.

"It's not something only with Ebola. It is a standard procedure when an infectious disease happens."

Duale also rejected suggestions that public demonstrations should influence public health decisions, arguing that the government bears responsibility for protecting citizens from health threats.

"The health of our citizens cannot and will not be decided by three, four people or ten people who will demonstrate outside the Ministry of Health tomorrow," he said.

"Even if Ebola, God forbid, finds itself in our country, the people who will be held responsible are the current government, and we must do whatever it takes to protect the citizens of our country."