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By Omondi Rodgers
Busia-The East, Central, and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC) has led a joint Ebola preparedness and readiness assessment at the Busia border to evaluate the capacity of Kenya and Uganda to detect, report, and respond to potential Ebola cases amid ongoing regional concerns.
Speaking during the assessment at the Busia border point, ECSA-HC Senior Medical Epidemiologist Dr. Mohamed Mohamed said the exercise focused on strengthening early detection, prompt reporting, and rapid response mechanisms at points of entry.
“We have identified that both sides are well prepared to handle Ebola should a case arise. We are looking at human resources capable of handling patients, personal protective equipment (PPE), and facilities to isolate, transport, and treat patients if we have a case,” said Dr. Mohamed.
He noted that the regional body has been facilitating workshops bringing together health officials and stakeholders from both Kenya and Uganda to improve information sharing and identify gaps requiring intervention.
“We are assessing how they communicate, share data, conduct surveillance, and handle suspected cases—including isolation facilities and treatment—to prevent cross-border disease transmission,” he added.
Dr. Mohamed emphasized the need for community involvement in surveillance efforts, noting that local residents play a crucial role in identifying and reporting suspected cases.
“We need to involve the community because they are important in surveillance. We want to empower them so they can report suspected cases and help us understand population movements across the border,” he said.
Busia County Director of Health and Public Sanitation Joseph Oprong said the county has trained frontline health workers and enhanced preparedness at health facilities.
“We have already trained our health officers, and the assessment of our isolation centre at Alupe is ongoing. We are also evaluating quarantine facilities so that any identified case can be managed effectively,” said Oprong.
He urged residents to use official border crossing points to facilitate screening and reduce the risk of disease transmission through porous borders.
“We are calling on everyone using this border point to ensure they are screened and thoroughly wash their hands. We are discouraging the use of porous borders to prevent the disease from entering our country,” he said.
Oprong confirmed that no suspected Ebola case has been reported in Busia County. He added that a mobile laboratory has been established at Busia County Referral Hospital to support specimen handling and testing.
On the Ugandan side, Assistant Commissioner for Disease Surveillance Dr. Michael Mwanga said the country has recorded 11 confirmed Ebola cases, with one death reported.
“Currently we have 11 confirmed cases. Unfortunately, we have lost one person, but the remaining 10 are doing well under the care and support of health officers,” said Dr. Mwanga.
He expressed confidence that ongoing collaboration between Kenya and Uganda would help contain the outbreak, noting that both countries have strengthened screening, isolation, and referral systems at border points.
Faith Tum of the National Biosafety Authority, who participated in the simulation exercise, said border officials are now better equipped to respond to Ebola cases.
“We now have insights into mitigation measures and preparedness for the pandemic. Security personnel and health workers will continue coordinating to ensure that those using porous borders are screened,” she said.
