Kenya Should Strengthen Health System, Infrastructure To Adequately Respond To Potential Cholera Outbreaks

The Conversation: Nairobi is at risk from another cholera outbreak. Why this isn’t necessary
Abdhalah Ziraba, associate research scientist, and Carol Wainaina, research officer, both at the African Population and Health Research Center

“…[Kenya] needs to strengthen its health system so that it’s able to respond to potential cholera outbreaks. It also needs to improve infrastructure development planning to prevent potential disasters that could lead to health hazards. … Epidemic outbreaks can severely tax even the strongest health system, and require coordination at all levels both in terms of service delivery and awareness. … Continued outbreaks of cholera in this day and age are an indictment on Kenya’s lack of commitment to contain diseases that can be prevented. The health challenges that Nairobi can expect in the wake of heavy rains [and flooding] are largely preventable. And even when they do happen, such as when there’s a cholera outbreak, the country has sufficient resources to respond adequately” (3/28).

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