Government receives Mpox test Kits and drugs from WHO, patners

Nairobi, 

Monday, 14 October, 2024 

McCreadie Andias 

Kenya has received Mpox testing kits and medicines for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) from the World Health Organization (WHO), USAID, and other health partners, MOH reported on Monday.

The consignment includes 15,215,000 tablets of NTD medicines valued at USD 1.6 million that will help the country ramp up the fight against Mpox. 

Speaking during the handover at Afya house, Health CS Deborah Mlongo Barasa acknowledged the donors in ensuring essential medicines reach those most in need,she noted that the consignment will put Kenya at per with the rest of the countries in the fight against Mpox. 

The consignment is intended for the Mass Drug administration(MDA) process to be rolled out in this month of October targeting areas with the highest disease burden

CS Barasa highlighted the significance of (MDA) campaigns in controlling NTDs particularly in high-burden regions.

WHO Representative to Kenya, Dr. Abdourahmane Diallo who confirmed the consignment, reaffirmed WHO’s commitment to supporting Kenya’s goal of eliminating NTDs by 2030.

As of now, Kenya has reported 12 confirmed cases of Mpox and has issued an alert regarding a Marburg outbreak in Rwanda. 

The National Taskforce for the Mpox Response convened in Nairobi last week to strategize containment efforts, including Marburg.

The Taskforce, emphasized the importance of proper coordination among all stakeholders to effectively manage these outbreaks.