All Kenyan doctors sent to Cuba back in the country to help in COVID-19 fight

All the 48 Kenyan doctors who were sent to Cuba for specialised training are back in the country to help in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a press briefing on Tuesday, Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o who is the Chairperson of the Council of Governors’ Health Committee said the 48 medics will finalize their studies in the local hospitals across the counties.

“We are happy to report that the 48 Kenyan doctors that were sent to Cuba for post graduate studies in family medicine are back in the Country and will finalize their studies in our local health facilities across the Counties for the next 9 months starting this week. As the Council, we thank the Ministry of Health for supporting specialized training of the doctors which will go a long way in strengthening our healthcare systems,” said Prof. Nyong’o.

The Kenyan medics were sent to the Caribbean country following a bilateral agreement between the two nations in 2018 that saw Kenya import at least 100 specialised doctors from Cuba.

Meanwhile, Prof. Nyong’o, who was issuing an update on the state of the COVID-19 pandemic across the counties, also announced that County Governments of Nakuru, Kakamega, Meru, Uasin Gishu, Murang’a, Nyeri and Kisumu have reported an increase in the number of infections which is likely to overwhelm the health system in the Counties if the situation persists.

He said County Governments will henceforth be issuing weekly situational reports on the status of the caseload, measures taken, gaps and interventions put in place.

“The County Governments in collaboration with National Government through the County Intergovernmental Emergency Committees will undertake drills to prepare for the worst case scenario so that we are not caught off-guard,” he added.