Experts criticize plan for American-only Ebola quarantine centre in Kenya
Former senior US officials and other experts are urging the Trump administration to abandon plans for an Ebola quarantine and treatment centre in Kenya, while the union representing workers at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) demands that Americans exposed to Ebola be brought home for treatment. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing The Guardian.
Shortly after the US announced the creation of a field hospital in Kenya for quarantining and treating Americans with Ebola, Kenya's High Court blocked the order – but the Kenyan and US governments continued to implement the plan, and the first American responders reportedly landed at Laikipia Air Base on Saturday.
This plan departs from the policy of returning CDC employees to the US for treatment and providing support to all healthcare workers. According to experts, the American-only centre undermines international health cooperation and is ineffective in combating the Ebola epidemic.
The Kenyan government intends to continue cooperation with the US, but this is causing concern among local communities, despite the court ruling.
This situation reflects a shift in US strategy in response to the Ebola epidemic: previously, CDC employees who became infected were evacuated to the US and isolated in specialised facilities. The new plan involves treating Americans in a special field hospital in Kenya, which has drawn criticism.
Experts believe that this approach weakens US global health leadership and hinders cooperation with other countries. They urge the Trump administration to reconsider this plan and consider alternative solutions that comply with international health regulations.