Kenya and IOM are collaborating to strengthen border health preparedness.
The government and IOM are strengthening health teams and emergency plans at entry points as Kenya begins a conditional 42-day Ebola-free countdown.
Kenya is strengthening border health surveillance and emergency preparedness at airports, seaports and land crossings amid an Ebola-free countdown.
The Ministry of Health said on November 13 that Kenya had reached day two of the 42-day countdown. The period follows the last patient’s discharge, with Ebola-free status dependent on no new cases.
Meanwhile, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said the government was working with the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Their partnership aims to improve Kenya’s ability to respond to public health threats across borders.
Duale spoke after meeting an IOM delegation led by Deputy Director General SungAh Lee. He highlighted the need to strengthen the skills of Port Health Officers and county health teams.
Border health surveillance plans and training
The collaboration will also support population mobility mapping and disease surveillance assessments at selected entry points. In addition, it will help develop standard operating procedures for infectious diseases.
Other measures include an All-Hazards Plan and a Port Health Strategic Plan to improve operational readiness. The meeting also acknowledged IOM’s technical support for Ebola preparedness and response through Kenya’s national Incident Management Structure.
Kenya and IOM discussed specialised training for health personnel, alongside collaboration with the Kenya National Public Health Institute. That work would incorporate population mobility data into public health surveillance and policy development.
The government described the partnership as part of broader efforts to strengthen Universal Health Coverage. It also aims to protect Kenya against emerging health threats.
