Mombasa County Government in conjunction with the Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) have intensified preparedness of healthcare workers in detecting, preventing and responding to potential outbreak of Ebola.
The County Department of Health, in partnership with MSF, French for doctors without borders, has placed an Ebola simulation and training centre in Changamwe to strengthen the county’s preparedness and response capacity against any potential outbreak of the deadly viral disease.
The nurses, doctors, and other frontline health workers are being trained on safe patient care, proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and critical infection prevention protocols.
The initiative comes as Mombasa remains among the 25 Kenyan counties identified as being at high risk of Ebola because of its strategic entry points, including the Port of Mombasa, Moi International Airport and major transport corridors used by cross-border truck drivers travelling from neighbouring countries.
Addressing journalists in Changamwe, MSF Mombasa Nursing Activity Manager and Trainer Caroline Mugun said the organization has begun training the first cohort of 20 healthcare workers on Ebola preparedness, detection and response.
“We have no cases of Ebola in Kenya as we speak, but we recognize the importance of equipping healthcare workers with the knowledge and practical skills needed to respond effectively should a case be reported,” said Mugun.
She said the two-day training programme combines classroom instruction with practical simulation exercises that mirror real-life outbreak scenarios, enabling healthcare workers to build confidence in handling suspected Ebola cases while protecting themselves and patients from infection.
to Mugun, the training will be conducted in several batches, with a target of reaching at least 60 healthcare workers drawn from health facilities across Mombasa County.
“This is the first batch, and during the course of the week we will conduct additional sessions jointly with the county government to ensure healthcare workers acquire the critical skills required to detect, isolate and respond to Ebola cases,” she said.
Mugun added that MSF has adequate resources, including personal protective equipment (PPE), to support frontline healthcare workers in the event of a suspected or confirmed Ebola case and urged residents not to panic, emphasizing that Kenya has not recorded any Ebola cases, while encouraging the public to remain vigilant and seek immediate medical attention if they develop symptoms associated with the disease.
Mombasa County Health Manager Fatma Ali said the county government considers Ebola preparedness a top public health priority due to the city’s position as Kenya’s main maritime gateway and an international transport hub.
She noted that the county’s seaport, airport and road network receive thousands of travelers every day, including truck drivers from neighbouring countries such as Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, where previous Ebola outbreaks have heightened the need for continuous surveillance and preparedness.
Fatma said the newly established facility will serve as both a training hub and a simulation centre where healthcare workers can regularly practice outbreak response procedures in a controlled environment.
“As part of our preparedness efforts, we have partnered with MSF to establish this hub as a centre for training and simulation exercises. In the event that Mombasa records an Ebola case, we want to ensure our healthcare workers are well trained and ready to respond effectively,” she said.
She expressed confidence that continuous training and simulation exercises will strengthen early detection, improve rapid response, enhance infection prevention and control measures, and ensure the safe management of any suspected Ebola cases while protecting healthcare workers and the wider community.
MSF Project Coordinator from Geneva, Sarah Lachar, said the organization is committed to supporting the Mombasa County health department in building the capacity of frontline healthcare workers through practical skills development.
“We are very happy to contribute to preparedness by strengthening the skills of healthcare workers in case of an outbreak,” said Lachar.
Health officials reminded the public that Ebola symptoms include fever, severe body aches, vomiting, diarrhea, unexplained bleeding, and a history of travel to affected countries or contact with infected persons.
They urged anyone experiencing such symptoms to seek immediate medical care, stressing that although Kenya remains Ebola-free, preparedness, surveillance and public awareness remain the country’s strongest defense against any potential outbreak.
By Mary Mtawa
