Mbagathi hospital to be unveiled, as pharmas assure Kenyans of drug supply amid coronavirus outbreak

An isolation ward at Nairobi's Mbagathi Hospital which was set up as one of the measures to prepare the country to combat the coronavirus will be unveiled today.

The 120-bed isolation ward has been equipped following an Executive order last week.

At the same time, the Kenya Association of Pharmaceutical Industries has assured the public that while the spread of the virus has posed a major public health threat, affecting transport, measures have been put in place to ensure no shortage of medical supplies is experienced.

“We don't expect long-term impact on availability of medicines and vaccines, unless disruption due to the novel coronavirus outbreak is sustained over the next several months,” said association's chair Anastasia Nyalita.

China is known as a major manufacturer of generic drugs, among them antibiotics and supplements. However, because of the virus, countries are now anticipating a shortage as a result of restriction on travel and transportation.

The virus has so far spread to 61 countries, with fatalities being reported in Iran, Italy and United States.

The isolation ward at Mbagathi will complement the one at Kenyatta National Hospital, which has a capacity for 11 patients. Counties have also been told to set up emergency centres at Level Four and Five hospitals.