An Update on the COVID-19 Situation in Kenya

Thank you for the concern that many of you have shown for the health and well-being of the people of Kenya, as well as the members of our AMPATH Consortium. 

In no time over the 30-year history of our partnership has it been more evident that we are all in this together and need to rely on each other for information, resources and good decision-making for our collective benefit. The coronavirus pandemic presents AMPATH and our partners with a new set of daunting challenges. We are grateful that your support over the last three decades has enabled us to build infrastructure and capacity that makes us better prepared to confront this global threat.

Kenya confirmed its first case of COVID-19 late last week and there are now at least seven documented cases in Kenya. Like every country around the globe, the Government of Kenya, Ministry of Health, hospitals and health care workers are preparing for additional cases. Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital established a task force several weeks ago and has been working hard to prepare, including building isolation units, setting up COVID-19 laboratory services, training health care workers in best practices, and procuring personal protective equipment for health care workers. CDC continues to work with the Kenya Ministry of Health to support surveillance and prevention activities. The Kenyan government is now moving quickly to implement extreme social distancing measures.

All visitors to the hospital are being screened upon arrival and those that meet criteria for either symptoms or known contact receive additional screening and testing when appropriate. Kenya does have testing capacity available and is rapidly ramping up that capacity, but testing commodities and personal protective equipment is in short supply. The health workforce is stretched thin.

Unfortunately, this situation has forced the temporary closure of Moi University School of Medicine and all Kenyan medical students have returned to their homes. Similarly, all North American trainees and short-term visitors have returned or are en route to the U.S. or Canada. We are currently working to make travel arrangements for the remaining North American faculty to return as well.

Investigators with active research projects are creating contingency plans to shift their work to home or temporarily suspend their projects. We are currently exploring ways for our AMPATH medical records system to aid in the data and information collection for this novel coronavirus. 

We urge everyone, everywhere, to practice safe social distancing, frequent hand-washing and to follow the advice of medical professionals and your local government regarding quarantine and isolation measures intended to stop the community spread.  

As the situation continues to develop, we will certainly identify specific areas where additional funds could aid the response in Kenya and will share those with you. For now, please know that although we need to temporarily shift all of our attention to this imminent threat, our commitment to building a sustainable health care system in western Kenya remains steadfast. 

Thank you for your partnership and support. We need it now more than ever.

Adrian Gardner, MD, MPH
Executive Director, AMPATH Consortium
Director, Indiana University Center for Global Health