The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) has raised concerns over Kenya’s preparedness to respond to Ebola following confirmation of the country’s first imported case of Bundibugyo Ebola Virus Disease.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, October 7, KUCO called for an immediate review of Kenya’s disease surveillance and response systems, particularly at airports and land-border entry points.
The union said the confirmed case, involving a Kenyan who travelled from the Democratic Republic of Congo through Uganda before arriving in Nairobi on October 3, should serve as a warning to strengthen the country’s preparedness for infectious disease outbreaks.
According to the Ministry of Health, the patient later died while receiving treatment.
KUCO questioned whether existing surveillance measures at ports of entry are effective enough to identify and manage suspected cases before potential exposure occurs.
The union noted that Kenya is a major regional transport hub and said preparedness should be measured by the ability to detect, isolate and safely manage suspected cases.
KUCO also raised concerns over the safety of frontline healthcare workers who may be involved in treating suspected or confirmed Ebola cases.
The union called for adequate personal protective equipment (PPE), functional isolation facilities, appropriate training, infection-prevention measures, sufficient staffing and clear referral protocols.
“Frontline health workers cannot be expected to manage a highly infectious disease without adequate personal protective equipment, functional isolation facilities, appropriate training, effective infection-prevention systems, sufficient staffing and clear referral protocols,” the union said.
KUCO also urged the Ministry of Health to provide a detailed account of the patient’s movements, screening, transportation, contacts and treatment.
The union said clear and consistent communication would be critical in maintaining public confidence during the outbreak response.
KUCO further linked the Ebola preparedness concerns to ongoing labour disputes involving Clinical Officers in several counties.
The union said Clinical Officers remain on strike in counties including Kakamega, Vihiga, Makueni, Nairobi and Baringo over unresolved employment and labour grievances.
KUCO argued that the industrial action should now be considered not only an employment dispute but also a health-security concern given the heightened risk of infectious disease.
“Kenya cannot afford reduced clinical capacity in public hospitals, health centres and dispensaries,” the union said.
The union called on county governments to resolve the outstanding disputes and facilitate the return of Clinical Officers to work.
KUCO has called on President William Ruto, the Health Cabinet Secretary, the Council of Governors and county governments to undertake an immediate assessment of Ebola preparedness across all 47 counties and major ports of entry.
The assessment, KUCO said, should examine staffing levels, availability of PPE, isolation capacity, laboratory response and referral systems.
It also called for additional training and protection for frontline healthcare workers, stronger surveillance at airports and land borders, and regular public briefings on the country’s response.
The union further urged the government to recruit more healthcare workers, including Clinical Officers, arguing that adequate staffing should form part of Kenya’s epidemic preparedness.
KUCO also called for frontline healthcare workers and their unions to be involved in national and county-level Ebola preparedness teams.
The union said the confirmed case should not cause panic but should prompt an assessment of possible gaps in Kenya’s surveillance, staffing and emergency response systems.
“Preparedness is not a press statement. Preparedness is staff, equipment, surveillance, protection and functioning health facilities,” KUCO said.
