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WB to finance Kenyan volunteers to combat Ebola

World Bank President Jim Yong Kim said Ebola is not an African problem but a global challenge/PSCU

World Bank President Jim Yong Kim said Ebola is not an African problem but a global challenge/PSCU

NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 28 – The World Bank will finance Kenyan volunteers going to West Africa to help combat Ebola.

World Bank President Jim Yong Kim said Ebola is not an African problem but a global challenge.

He criticised governments which closed their borders instead of giving the required support to contain the outbreak.

Speaking during a briefing on Kenya’s preparedness for Ebola at the Kenyatta National Hospital, the World Bank President pointed out that Kenya has made a lot of progress in terms of health service delivery and is a shining example in the region.

He challenged other nations to follow the Kenyan example in building strong health systems which will help in tackling the problem.

He said devolution of health services was a bold step in taking services closer to citizens.

“I have been hearing bits and pieces of what is going on in Kenya. You have embarked on extremely bold measures in devolving health services,” said Kim.

The World Bank President had accompanied First Lady Margaret Kenyatta on a tour of the Integrated Gender Based Violence Recovery Centre at Kenyatta National Hospital.

The First Lady commended the World Bank for making resources available to tackle gender based violence, female genital mutilation and maternal and child mortality.

She said the World Bank’s support demonstrates the importance it attaches to improving the wellbeing of women in the modern society.

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On his part, the World Bank President applauded the First Lady for her initiatives to reduce maternal and child mortality, saying her focus on issues facing women is extremely important.

He added that the First Lady’s efforts in fighting retrogressive cultures against women are also commendable.

“I would really want to continue working together with you to stop some of these retrogressive cultures,” he said.

During a presentation on Kenya’s preparedness, Medical Services Director Nicholas Muraguri said so far 600 Kenyans have volunteered to travel to West African countries to support in tackling the Ebola outbreak.

He said among the volunteers are nurses, clinical officers and doctors.

Muraguri said Kenya requires Sh1.8 billion which is equivalent to $20 million for the programme of tackling Ebola and so far the government has set aside $7.5 million and also received $2.7 million for the project from the World Bank.

He said the money will be utilised in surveillance, lab testing, case management and advocacy.

Health Cabinet Secretary James Macharia said Kenya is taking a lead in terms of regional approach and has incorporated the five East African Community member states and also the IGAD member nations in spearheading efforts aimed at combating Ebola.

“The country is taking the issue as a regional block and recently health ministers of EAC held a meeting on the issue and decided to form a technical team to deal with Ebola”, said the Health Secretary.

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