NAIROBI, Kenya – The Government of India has donated medical supplies worth KSh83.39 million to Kenya to strengthen the country’s response to the Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak.
The Ministry of Health received the consignment, which includes protective equipment and diagnostic sample transport materials intended to support frontline health workers and strengthen infection prevention measures.
The supplies were handed over at the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) facility in Embakasi, Nairobi, by India’s High Commissioner to Kenya, Dr Adarsh Swaika.
Speaking during the handover, Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni said the donation would support health workers, treatment and isolation centres, rapid response teams and screening activities at points of entry and health facilities.
The consignment includes 6,000 personal protective equipment (PPE) kits, 60 powered air-purifying respirators and 30,000 N95 masks.
It also contains more than 86,000 sample transport kits, alongside medical gowns, gloves, face shields, protective boots and infrared thermometers.
The equipment is expected to strengthen the capacity of frontline personnel to handle suspected cases safely, collect and transport samples, and implement infection prevention and control measures.
Ministry Urges Kenyans to Remain Vigilant
The Ministry of Health reaffirmed its commitment to containing the outbreak through early detection, isolation of suspected cases and enhanced infection prevention and control measures.
It also urged Kenyans to remain calm and vigilant as health authorities continue implementing response measures.
The donation comes as Kenya strengthens preparedness and response capacity against the Bundibugyo virus disease, a form of Ebola caused by the Bundibugyo virus.
Protective equipment and sample transport supplies are essential during outbreak response because they help reduce the risk of infection among health workers and support the safe handling of specimens for laboratory testing.
The Ministry said the donated commodities would support ongoing efforts to protect healthcare personnel and strengthen the country’s ability to respond to the outbreak.
