The Ministry of Health yesterday received an assortment of IT equipment towards the strengthening of port health operations.
The equipment was donated by the European Union (EU), the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).
Health installations at border towns of Busia, Malaba, Mandera and Moyale will receive the 122 pieces of equipment in a major move to curb disease importation into the country. The equipment includes; seven laptops, 37 Desktop Computers, 37 UPSs, 37 power extension cables and four access points.
Major disease outbreaks such as Ebola, Covid-19 among other recent pandemics usually find their way through the borders due to ill prepared health installations.
Strategic distribution
Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary, Mary Muriuki (pictured) said the strategic distribution of the equipment is a critical component of the government’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Digital Health pillar. “This newfound capability will be instrumental in our quest to swiftly detect and contain outbreaks, preventing them from traversing our borders and jeopardising the well-being of our communities,” the PS, noted.
Muriuki said that the significance of the equipment lies in the vital role they will play in fostering cross-border collaboration.
She explained that since diseases do not respect borders, the donations are timely to facilitate seamless communication and data sharing among border regions.
“This will foster a more coordinated and cohesive response to public health threats in these locations, empower our surveillance teams with advanced tools and technology, enabling real-time monitoring and analysis of health data,” the PS said, noting that this will also bolster the country’s laboratory systems; scientists and healthcare professionals with the necessary tools for precise diagnostics and ground-breaking research.
The equipment according to the PS also underscored the Ministry’s approach to shift the healthcare paradigm from curative to preventive and promotive through UHC. “This is anchored in four pillar; Human Resource for Health (HRH), Health Care Financing, Commodity Security and Digital Health,” she added.
