PS Ouma Oluga says Kenya will participate in global Ebola response efforts despite concerns over reports of exposed US patients being treated locally.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, May 28 – Medical Services Principal Secretary Ouma Oluga has defended Kenya’s readiness to participate in global Ebola response efforts, saying the country will not retreat from its international health obligations even as public concern grows over reports that exposed foreign nationals could be handled in Kenya.

Speaking in a pre-recorded video released on Thursday, Oluga cited Kenya’s public health track record saying the country’s foremost duty remains protecting its citizens, but stressed that this responsibility does not conflict with contributing to global health security.

“The Kenyan government continues to protect Kenyans, but as we continue to protect Kenyans, we cannot abdicate our obligation and our duty in global health security,” he said.

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“This is what we have been known for for decades. This is our expertise, so this is the time to show up.”

Oluga likened Kenya’s role in outbreak response to participation in global events where expertise is expected on an international stage, arguing that infectious diseases require cross-border collaboration rather than isolationist approaches.

“This is like a marathon has been called in London. Do you say that you’re not going to send Kenyans there?” he posed. “Outbreaks do not care about borders. They do not care about opinions.”

He added that Kenya’s experience in managing previous outbreaks positions it as a trusted regional partner in health emergencies, pointing to past deployments of Kenyan experts abroad during disease outbreaks.

“We are very confident as a country and as a government that number one responsibility is to protect the Kenyan, but as we protect the Kenyan, we can also extend this expertise,” Oluga said.

“We are ready to protect Kenyans, but we are also ready to assist the world tackle these global challenges.”

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya