Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) Chief Executive Officer Dr Waqo Dulacha Ejersa has been at the centre of efforts to strengthen the country’s preparedness against infectious disease outbreaks, following the receipt of Ebola response supplies valued at KSh83.39 million from the Government of India.
The consignment, received by the Ministry of Health at KEMSA’s Embakasi facility, is expected to bolster Kenya’s capacity to respond to the Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak by equipping healthcare workers and supporting infection prevention and control measures.
The donation includes 6,000 personal protective equipment kits, 60 powered air-purifying respirators, 30,000 N95 masks, more than 86,000 sample transport kits, medical gowns, gloves, face shields, protective boots and infrared thermometers.
Under Dr Waqo’s leadership, KEMSA’s role in receiving and handling essential medical commodities places the authority at a critical point in the national health security chain, where timely access to supplies can support frontline healthcare workers and emergency response teams.
The availability of the supplies will support treatment and isolation centres, rapid response teams, screening at points of entry and health facilities as the country strengthens its preparedness and response measures.
During the handover, Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni received the commodities from India’s High Commissioner to Kenya, Dr Adarsh Swaika.
The Ministry of Health reaffirmed its commitment to containing the outbreak through early detection, isolation and strengthened infection prevention and control measures. It also urged Kenyans to remain calm and vigilant.
The development highlights the importance of strategic partnerships, effective medical supply systems and institutional preparedness in safeguarding public health.
For KEMSA, the receipt of the consignment underscores the authority’s critical place in supporting the government’s emergency response capacity by facilitating access to essential medical commodities when they are most needed.
As Kenya strengthens its preparedness against emerging health threats, the authority’s supply-chain function remains central to ensuring that frontline health workers have the protective equipment and materials required to carry out their duties safely and effectively.