A Coronavirus isolation facility has been opened at the Mbagathi District Hospital in Nairobi.
The centre was launched by Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe who was in the company of Government Spokesperson Colonel Cyrus Oguna, and Foreign Affairs CS Raychelle Omamo on Friday, March 6.
While addressing the media, Kagwe stated that the facility was not only an isolation camp but would also serve as a treatment centre. He also detailed steps that were undertaken by the ministry after a directive by President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday, February 28, to facilitate the establishment of the centre within one week.
"We have an emergency response unit going around everywhere that will respond immediately to any issue. We have also activated the emergency centre, closely monitoring the evolution of the virus to enable us to follow up on the case," Kagwe stated, further noting that the government had set up screening facilities at every port and border point.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke Colonel Oguna informed that the facility would have staff from both the Kenyatta National Hospital and the Mbagathi Hospital.
"The facility is part of Mbagathi but the medics will come from KNH as well, because they are all government facilities, and it could not be launched without ensuring there are adequate personell," Oguna stated.
Medical practitioners at the facility have been afforded adequate equipment to aid in combating the deadly microbe.
With an airborne mode of transmission and through contact as well, the practitioners will be armed with facemasks and gear covering nearly every inch of their bodies to avoid contracting the disease.
Kagwe stated that the facility had sufficient material to help in curbing the virus. He argued that over-stocking would result in breaching inventory regulations, adding that the government hopes the situation cools down.
"We have enough to handle the situation because we are also hoping the situation will cool down," CS Kagwe stated.
The facility boasts a wing with 120 beds, and the doctors have their names written on the gears for easy identification.
In the wards, the beds are well spaced to allow for proper air circulation and minimise further spread of the virus.
