The World Health Organization (WHO) has earmarked Kenya as one of the best African countries to set up a World Health Emergency Hub.
According to Business Daily, the emergency hub will be set up in Nairobi by the end of the year following the commendation by the WHO Regional Office for Africa.
Among other things, the hub will coordinate response and deal with medical emergencies.
It will be a sub-regional resource and response center for Eastern and Southern Africa.
About ten members of staff are expected to start working at the hub but WHO recommends a total of 22 staff.
Health Cabinet Secretary said that Kenya has been seen to be organized hence WHO picked it to set up the emergency hub.
“We hope that the hub will contribute to capacity building of locals and build linkages for emergency action with local and international partners,” he said.
He added that his ministry has well-trained health personnel to handle emergency cases.
“There have been some training on emergency medical care through agencies like the Kenya Red Cross, St.Johns, and others.”
“We have also partnered with the National Hospital Insurance Fund to support emergency medical care and the government is in the process of rolling out the referral strategy and guidelines so far covering 22 counties.”