Stop Politicising Ebola Preparedness, Health Official Asks Politicians
img_tag = ("Politicians are turning Kenya's Ebola preparedness into a campaign tool, and health experts are not having it.
Dr. Andrew Mulwa, who heads the National AIDS and STI Control Programme (NASCOP), fires back at political leaders who keep dragging public health matters into their political theatrics. His message hits hard - stop using disease outbreaks to score cheap political points, especially when it comes to establishing proper health infrastructure that could save Kenyan lives.
The debate centers around setting up isolation facilities and emergency response systems as neighboring countries grapple with Ebola cases. While health professionals work around the clock to ensure Kenya stays protected, some politicians see an opportunity to blame opponents or take credit for initiatives they barely understand. Mulwa warns this dangerous game puts ordinary citizens at risk.
Think about it - when you're boarding that crowded matatu from Eastleigh to town, or when your cousin in Kisumu falls sick and needs emergency care, politics becomes the last thing on your mind. What matters is whether Kenya's health system can respond fast enough to protect your family. Political grandstanding doesn't stop diseases at our borders or treat patients in our hospitals.
The timing couldn't be worse, with Kenya's health sector already struggling under budget constraints and staff shortages. County governments and national leadership need to coordinate seamlessly when health emergencies strike, but political point-scoring creates dangerous gaps in communication and resource allocation.
Dr. Mulwa's frustration reflects what many health workers feel - they're fighting to keep Kenyans safe while politicians fight each other. From the nurse in Garissa General Hospital to the community health worker in Kibera, frontline staff need clear policies and adequate resources, not political interference.
The question every Kenyan should ask their leaders is simple - when the next health crisis hits, will you be ready to save lives, or will you still be busy playing politics?