The plan to establish a health facility in Kenya for Americans exposed to the Ebola virus has drawn significant criticism from both Kenyan medical professionals and US officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reports BritPanorama.
The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union and the Law Society of Kenya voiced their opposition, expressing concerns that the facility could facilitate the spread of Ebola into a country currently free of the disease.
In the United States, CDC officials cautioned against the plan to send Americans to Kenya, with acting director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya reportedly advising against it. Some agency staff have expressed frustration, suggesting that the initiative could hinder recruitment and staffing for Ebola response efforts.
Critics within the CDC acknowledged the capabilities of Kenyan healthcare professionals, while also highlighting difficulties in meeting the higher care standards established in the US. The agency’s source noted that factors such as family support and treatment infrastructure are critical considerations for patients.
Although the CDC has yet to receive an official comment from the US Department of Health and Human Services, a Trump administration insider indicated that the facility would be equipped to handle the full spectrum of Ebola Virus Disease, including cases requiring critical care.
The ongoing Ebola outbreak primarily affects the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), leading to at least 238 fatalities and over 1,000 suspected infections, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). This outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain, which currently lacks approved vaccines or treatments. Additionally, Uganda has reported linked cases, including one death.
Doctors demand transparency on Ebola facility deal
A senior Trump administration official confirmed the Kenyan government’s approval for the establishment of isolation and quarantine units. However, the Kenyan government has not yet publicly commented on the agreement.
A 50-bed quarantine unit is scheduled to become operational this week at Laikipia Airbase, located around 125 miles north of Nairobi. Presently, there are no patients earmarked for admission.
Furthermore, additional isolation and biocontainment facilities are to be set up, with protocols in place for evacuation to other treatment centers in Europe if patients exhibit symptoms or test positive.
Healthcare will be provided by members of the Commissioned Corps of the US Public Health Service, who have begun training in Kenya. Despite the lack of specific treatments for the Bundibugyo virus, alternative therapies like Remdesivir will be accessible.
Public Health Secretary Mary Muthoni Muriuki assured that the government is collaborating with partners, including the US, to ensure the safety of all Kenyans.
Dr. Davji Bhimji Atellah, Secretary-General of the Kenya Medical Practitioners Union, has called for greater transparency from the Kenyan government regarding the justification for accepting the facility.
He expressed concerns over the rationale for establishing a facility for Americans when Kenya faces chronic gaps in its own healthcare system. “What makes the US choose Kenya when the epicentre of the outbreak is in (the Democratic Republic of) Congo?” Atellah questioned.
Recent negotiations between the Kenyan and US governments have led to a 21% reduction in American health aid over the next five years, implying less support for Kenyan health initiatives, despite the establishment of the new facility.
The Katiba Institute has submitted a legal challenge against the proposed health facility, reflecting broader discontent regarding the agreement’s terms.
The Law Society of Kenya has echoed calls for a rejection of the facility, highlighting the paradox of US apprehensions in light of its insistence on safety standards.
Public sentiment is increasingly vocal, as seen in media coverage and street discussions, where citizens express fears about the potential arrival of the virus in their country.
In the DRC, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has requested a ceasefire amid ongoing conflict, as the health crisis escalates.
According to Tedros, the Ebola outbreak is “outpacing the response,” exacerbated by a situation he describes as a “catastrophic collision of disease and conflict.”
