The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has demanded immediate disclosure of negotiations between the Kenyan and United States governments over the reported establishment of an Ebola quarantine and treatment facility at Laikipia Air Base, warning that Kenya risks becoming a containment centre for a disease outbreak originating outside its borders.
The union has given the government a 48-hour ultimatum to make the discussions public, arguing that the proposed arrangement raises serious concerns over national biosecurity, healthcare priorities and employment for Kenyan health workers.
In a statement released on Thursday, KMPDU Secretary-General Dr Davji Bhimji Atellah accused the government of conducting what he described as “backdoor negotiations” with the U.S. administration regarding the facility, saying Kenyans deserve full disclosure on the matter.
“We demand absolute transparency fromHealth Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on why Kenya has been selected as the designated dumping ground for exposed U.S. citizens while nations directly bordering the outbreak’s epicentre are bypassed,” said Dr Atellah.
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The union’s statement comes amid concerns over the ongoing Bundibugyo strain Ebola outbreak reported in parts of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). KMPDU questioned why Kenya would be considered as a quarantine location despite not being at the centre of the outbreak.
According to the union, the government should publicly release any bilateral agreements related to the proposed facility and explain the rationale behind Kenya’s involvement.
KMPDU also challenged what it termed a contradiction in public health policy, arguing that if the United States considers it unsafe to admit Ebola cases onto its own soil, then Kenya should not be expected to shoulder the associated risks.
“If it is too dangerous for America, it is too dangerous for Kenya,” Dr Atellah said in the statement.
Beyond the biosecurity concerns, the doctors’ union argued that the proposal exposes deeper weaknesses within Kenya’s healthcare system. KMPDU noted that many public hospitals continue to struggle with shortages of medicines, diagnostic supplies and critical care infrastructure, leaving healthcare workers overstretched and patients underserved.
“Our public hospitals are currently structurally crippled. We lack basic diagnostic reagents, essential medicines and functional intensive care infrastructure,” read the statement.
The union questioned why government attention and resources would be directed towards supporting a specialised quarantine facility while many ordinary Kenyans continue to seek treatment in under-equipped public hospitals.
“You cannot manage a local health crisis by importing an international one. The government must explain to Kenyans why resources and executive attention are being poured into foreign quarantine facility while Kenya citizens die in under-equipped public wards fro preventable ailments.” Dr Atellah stated.
Employment of Kenyan healthcare workers emerged as another major concern raised by the union. KMPDU pointed to the long-standing shortage of medical personnel across the country despite thousands of trained doctors and healthcare professionals remaining unemployed or working under temporary contracts.
The union said reports suggesting the facility could be staffed by members of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps had raised alarm within the medical fraternity.
KMPDU argued that if the project proceeds, it should create permanent employment opportunities for Kenyan doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers, with adequate remuneration, medical cover and hazard allowances. The union insisted that local professionals must not be sidelined in favour of foreign personnel.
The organisation further maintained that any international partnership involving Kenya’s healthcare system should first address the country’s staffing shortages and strengthen public health infrastructure.
In its strongest warning yet, KMPDU threatened nationwide industrial action should the Ministry of Health proceed with the arrangement without addressing the concerns raised by healthcare workers.
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