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The Covid-19 burden is beginning to stretch Kenya’s health systems as a looming third wave takes an ominous shape.
Critical cases, for instance, are being referred to Nairobi congesting health facilities and diminishing available medical oxygen, ventilators, and Intensive Care Unit beds. Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has thus directed counties to equip hospitals to enable them to handle an upsurge of infections.
The CS told the Senate Committee on Health chaired by Kisumu Senator Fred Outa that “people are traveling to Nairobi, yet they should be treated in their respective counties. We have given money to counties to equip hospitals with oxygen, ventilators, and ICU beds. Counties are currently not having a shortage of anything.”
He said most hospitals in Nairobi are constrained with high ICU admissions from the wide, fast spread of the third wave compared to the previous first and second waves.
“The third wave is more severe….we are therefore enforcing containment measures…this includes limiting attendance of people in weddings and funerals,” Kagwe told the Senate.
According to the Ministry’s Covid-19 situation report of March 17, 2021, at least 754 patients were admitted to hospitals across the country, with 2,167 being managed under home-based care.
The report noted that Nairobi and Mombasa had the highest infection rates of 1190.3 and 780.7 per 100,000 population respectively.
But, despite high infections, he maintained the country was well equipped unlike in the past.
Kagwe had appeared before the Senate committee to respond to the nationwide Covid-19 vaccination roll-out.
Kagwe has, however, asked county governments to increase ICU beds but also emphasised home-based care as health facilities are already too stretched.
The cumulative caseload now stands at 116,310 out of 1,387,440 tests conducted since March 2020 when the first case was reported. Twelve people have died over the last 24 hours bringing recorded deaths to 200 since January.
Reported recoveries stand at 280 with 154 from the home-based isolation and care and 126 from various health facilities countrywide over the same period.
The CS further has asked counties to have all their ambulances ready for evacuating severe cases from home-based care. Community Health Volunteers have also be called upon to be more vigilant.
According to the Health Ministry, 19,900 people have so far received the AstraZeneca vaccine.
Kagwe has also urged Kenyans to be extra cautious by ensuring they have their masks on always and observe strict hand hygiene.
“Do not agree to sit next to someone in a matatu who is not wearing a mask” said Kagwe.
Director of Public Health, Dr Francis Kuria said Nairobi had reported cases of a Covid-19 variant first reported in the United Kingdom among persons with no history of travel.
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