Ebola: Kenya to send 300 medical workers to affected countries

Kenya's ministry of health will deploy the first batch of medical workers to Ebola hit West African countries on January 5, 2015, a senior health official said Wednesday, Africa news reports.

Ian Njeru, head of disease surveillance and response unit at the ministry, said logistics have been finalized to facilitate deployment of health officers to Ebola-hit West African States.

"We are coordinating with African Union to facilitate the deployment of medical doctors and nurses to West Africa by January 5, 2015. Kenyan health workers are keen on lending support to countries blighted by Ebola," Njeru told journalists in Nairobi.

Kenya has trained 20,000 medical workers to enhance their capacity to diagnose and treat Ebola. Njeru revealed the ministry has commenced training of medics working in private hospitals on Ebola case management.

Countries in the east African region in October agreed to provide health care workers, finances and equipment to strengthen the fight against Ebola in West Africa.

Kenya agreed to send 315 health workers to join an international emergency team that is assisting Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone deal with Ebola.

"Our medical team will be stationed in Ebola-hit countries until the epidemic subsides. The African Union will be responsible for their upkeep," Njeru said.

He revealed that 6,000 Kenyan medical workers had expressed interest to work in West African countries ravaged by Ebola.