KMPDU demands urgent protection for health workers after Kenya confirms first Ebola case

NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 6— The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists’ Union (KMPDU) has called for urgent measures to protect healthcare workers following the confirmation of Kenya’s first imported case…

The union said healthcare workers who may have come into contact with the patient at Nairobi Hospital or other health facilities must be immediately identified, medically monitored and provided with psychological support and appropriate follow-up.

KMPDU Secretary-General and CEO Dr Davji Bhimji Atellah said the confirmed case should prompt the government to strengthen protection of frontline workers, warning that their safety must be treated as a national priority.

“Our healthcare workers must not be the weakest link in our response. They must be our first line of protection,” Atellah said.

The union also called for rigorous, timely and transparent contact tracing, urging authorities to provide regular and accurate information to healthcare workers and the public on the progress of the response.

Source: Capital FM