KHF STATEMENT ON THE CURRENT OUTBREAK OF CORONAVIRUS 2019-NCOV ACUTE RESPIRATORY DISEASE

Kenya Healthcare Federation (KHF), a Private Sector a membership-based organization that serves as the Health Sector Board of the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) is deeply concerned by the Coronavirus (2019-nCoV acute respiratory disease) epidemic. As stakeholders in the health sector, we are alive to the fact that outbreaks of new virus infections for which there is no known practical antiviral therapy present a severe threat to public health.

KHF and its membership stand in solidarity with the Ministry of Health, the global community and the World Health Organization (WHO), who are all actively playing a part in the management of Coronavirus.

Indeed, we applaud the Ministry of Health’s efforts in leading the disease surveillance and response strategy and ensuring the safety of Kenyan citizens. As private sector players in the health space, we support and will work collaboratively to align with the Ministry of Health strategy. We also welcome the decision taken by the WHO to declare the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern and believe the measures taken reflect the serious nature of this public health threat.

The declaration of Coronavirus as an international emergency signals the fundamental need for epidemic preparedness.

KHF acknowledges that Kenya has an established an Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) system, in place. The goal of the IDSR is to improve the ability of all levels of the system to detect, confirm, and respond to diseases and other public health events to reduce high levels of illness, death and disability.

In line with provisions of the IDSR, our members confirm their readiness to support the Ministry of Health to help minimize and control this outbreak and provide advice and care as the need arises.

Following is our guidance:
Anyone who is feeling unwell and believes they may have been exposed to the coronavirus should see their physician immediately at the the first sign of any symptoms.
We also recommend that all to understand and follow WHO’s standard hygiene recommendations to reduce exposure to and transmission of illnesses:
· Frequently clean your hands by using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
· When coughing and sneezing cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue — throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
· Avoid close contact with anyone who has a fever and cough.
· If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early and share previous travel history with your health care provider.
· When visiting live markets in areas currently experiencing cases of a novel coronavirus, avoid direct unprotected contact with live animals and surfaces in contact with animals.
· The consumption of raw or undercooked animal products should be avoided. Raw meat, milk or animal organs should be handled with care to avoid cross-contamination with uncooked foods as per good food safety practices.
KHF and its members wish to reaffirm our commitment in supporting the Ministry of Health’s Disease Surveillance and Response System at all levels of the process to ensure timely detection, confirmation, and response to diseases and other public health events that may arise from time to time.