Kenya to train 30,000 health workers on Ebola

Kenya has plans to train 30,000 health workers on Ebola screening, prevention, control and case management, the health ministry said Wednesday.

The training is being supported by 150 medical doctors specialized in infectious diseases control positioned across the country, Xinhua quoted Nicholas Muraguri, the director of medical services in health ministry, as saying.

"This is part of government measures to build the capacity of health facilities in identifying suspected cases and managing infected cases," Muraguri said.

Ebola has so far killed more than 4,500 people, mainly in West African states of Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. No case of Ebola has been reported in Kenya so far.

"However, the Ministry of Health would like to assure members of the public that the government is on high alert and has put in place measures to prevent any possible outbreak of Ebola," he said in Nairobi.

"The health ministry in close collaboration with stakeholders has set up systems for Ebola surveillance and case management through the National Ebola Task Force and the Multi-Agency Coordination Team," Muraguri added.

He said screening of passengers at all ports of entry has been intensified through the formation of the Passenger Screening Oversight Committee that ensures 100 percent screening of all passengers.

The top physician said plans are also underway to install automated infrared thermoscan machines at Kenya's main airport as well as other ports of entry in order to enhance detection of people with Ebola and other Viruses.

The ministry is currently working to enhance public awareness through mass media and social media to ensure that all Kenyans are well informed.