Kenya at the forefront of Africa’s battle against Covid-19

It is in the most difficult times that a nation, a community, and a person are tested. True character is revealed during the most challenging situations, and right now, we are right in the thick of one of those moments. No one expected for Covid-19 to hit us so hard. No one expected for it to affect the entire world so drastically, to cause the economy to come crashing down, to keep people off the streets for weeks and even months, but here we are.

But what distinguishes Kenya, thus far, from other nations is President Uhuru Kenyatta’s quick and firm response. Now is not a time for games, there is no room for debate.

It is a time for action. It is a time for resolve and might, and it is a time for unity behind one leader. Nobody has the time to fight and let ourselves be pulled apart by the everyday problems that seem so petty and insignificant these days.

We must remain unified and calm if we are to fight this with success and pride. And the Uhuru administration is pulling through indeed. If it ever was in doubt, it is now undeniable that all these months of working on Universal Health Coverage have not been wasted.

In a remarkable move, within just over a week of the first coronavirus case hitting Kenya, the Kenyatta National Hospital opened a telemedicine technology centre for Coronavirus detection. This is the first centre of its kind in Africa, and will hopefully serve as a model for other hospitals around the continent.

Rather than sending coronavirus patients overseas for testing, the centre will host major operations by Kenyan doctors. Radiologists will be able to interpret CT scans in the centre and training of nurses, doctors and other medical professionals is being stepped up.

When addressing the media, Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe told journalists that the government is doing all within its power to train the relevant professionals to help us stop the virus. While it is true that the world, let alone Kenya, has never experienced something like this before, it does not mean that it will destroy us.

While sickness and some deaths are sadly inevitable in the coming months, the policies of the government combined with our very own behaviours and actions will make all the difference.

As President Kenyatta works on reallocating the budget so that the threat of Covid-19 is mitigated before it is too late, we as citizens need to be taking necessary precautions in our day to day lives.

That means much less social contact, much less of doing the regular things that we are used to doing, and for many, tough times at work. However, no one is to blame in this situation, but it is our responsibility as Kenyans to put all hands on deck.

For months we have been able to follow the successes of the initial UHC rollout as part of Uhuru’s Big Four Agenda. In the four counties where it was piloted, maternal and infant mortality rates have declined and people are beginning to schedule regular medical check-ups, as well as learning more about better nutrition and healthy lifestyles.

Now, as that continues and UHC is implemented in other counties, our medical professionals will be busier than ever. Those that chose to work in the industry worked hard to get there and continue to work hard everyday to help the sick.

They are Kenya’s true heroes. The work of our doctors, nurses and other medical professionals often goes unnoticed, but in light of this global pandemic they should no longer be taken for granted. They put their lives at risk each and every day to show up to work and be on the frontlines.

The rest of us, therefore, would be wise to respect all government advice to stay at home and minimise contact with others. Let us all make their jobs easier during this difficult time by coming together as a unified, strong Kenya. Our lives may depend on it.