India has donated the first tranche of 4.5 tonnes of medical supplies towards the country’s preparedness and response to a possible spread of Ebola virus disease, as fatalities hit the 1000 mark in the neighbouring Congo.
The medical assistance was handed over by India’s High Commissioner to Kenya, Dr. Adarsh Swaika, to Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Aden Duale at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
The first consignment comprises 279 packages of essential medical supplies, including personal protective equipment (PPE) kits, sample transportation kits, infrared thermometers, face shields, heavy-duty protective boots, and other infection prevention materials. A second tranche of the assistance is expected to arrive soon.
CS Duale while receiving the consignment, said the donation comes as the region remains on high alert following Ebola outbreaks in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, noting that Kenya’s position as a regional transport and trade hub makes epidemic preparedness a national security priority
“The government has adopted a whole-of-government approach to Ebola preparedness, including activating the national incident management system, enhancing surveillance at points of entry, strengthening laboratory capacity, deploying rapid response teams, and intensifying public awareness and infection prevention measures,” he noted.
The consignment, the CS said, will strengthen Kenya’s national emergency stockpile, protect frontline health workers, and enhance the country’s capacity to respond to any Ebola outbreak.
He thanked the Government of India for the donation, describing the support as timely and a reflection of the strong bilateral relations between Kenya and India in strengthening global health security.
Duale reaffirmed the government’s commitment to investing in epidemic preparedness in collaboration with county governments and development partners.
The CS urged Kenyans to remain vigilant by observing proper hand hygiene, reporting suspected Ebola cases promptly, avoiding contact with sick persons, and cooperating with health screening measures, saying public participation is critical in preventing the spread of the disease.
The Indian High Commissioner Dr. Swaika said the supplies will support frontline public health institutions to improve their capacity to detect, contain, and respond to Ebola, other emerging infectious diseases, and future pandemics.
The assistance follows India’s donation of more than 45 tonnes of medical supplies to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) in May and June this year to bolster the continent’s preparedness against Ebola outbreaks.
India has previously supported Kenya during public health emergencies. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it supplied 1.12 million doses of vaccines under the Vaccine Maitri initiative, alongside essential medicines and other medical assistance.
India remains Kenya’s leading pharmaceutical partner, with Indian pharmaceutical products accounting for more than half of the country’s pharmaceutical market. More than 10,000 Kenyans also travel to India annually for specialized medical treatment.
The Indian High Commission said the latest assistance reflects the longstanding health partnership between Kenya and India, which encompasses the supply of medicines and medical equipment, capacity building, training, and cooperation between health institutions, with the shared goal of building resilient health systems.
By Wangari Ndirangu
