Medical training colleges to become isolation centres, says Kagwe

Medical training colleges have been identified as ideal isolation centres even as the government hinted more restrictive measures could be introduced.

Additionally, the government is working with Muhoroni Sugar Company to manufacture more hand sanitisers which are out of stock in retail stores.

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said the production would be supervised by the Kenya Medical Training Institute.

Muhoroni has been identified because it produces ethanol and sanitisers need to have 60 per cent alcohol to be effective.

“We will flood the market with more sanitisers so that the prices come down,” said Kagwe.

Since Kenya announced its first case on March 13, 2020, there has been panic-buying of essentials and sanitisers, which has made retailers triple prices. Some shops have run out of stock.

Kagwe, in a briefing yesterday, said President Uhuru Kenyatta will meet the National Emergency Response Committee handling the coronavirus outbreak.

He had earlier hinted at a lockdown as an option, noting that the government is keenly monitoring how Kenyans are adhering to the guideline on prevention such as washing hands and social distancing.

Other measures

“We will discuss the progress and if there are any other measures, they will be communicated after the meeting,” said Kagwe.

He said with the increase in cases, the government is ensuring its readiness to handle cases.

“When we say we will self-quarantine you by force, it does not necessarily mean Mbagathi. We have other government facilities where we can do quarantine and we have already identified Kenya Medical Training Colleges for that purpose,” he said.

Kenyatta National Hospital, Kenyatta University Teaching and Referral Hospital are the other national facilities where coronavirus patients will be taken care of.

Counties on the other hand have been instructed to set up isolation centres in their level four and five facilities, which the national government will help equip.

As coronavirus cases hit seven yesterday, a total shutdown is one of the options being explored to limit movement of people hence minimise spread of the virus.

Italy and China are some of the countries which imposed a lockdown after coronavirus outbreak in their territories.

Kagwe said the ministry is working with counties to boost its preparedness.