PS Mary Muthoni opens 9th Regional Meeting for pandemic preparedness and response

Mombasa June 6, 2023 The Covid-19,Ebola and Marburg Virus Disease outbreaks and other public health events  underscored the importance of whole government, whole society approach to pandemic prevention, preparedness and response efforts.

Principal Secretary, Mary Muthoni, HSC of the State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards has today opened the 9th Africa Regional Meeting for the Collaborative Arrangement for Prevention and Management of Public Health Events in Civil Aviation (CAPSCA).

The meeting organized by the International Civil Aviation Authority in conjunction with Kenya  Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) provides an opportunity for countries to review their pandemic preparedness and response, document best practices and challenges in view of sustaining and building on the gains.

The PS noted that although Kenya lost a significant number of lives to the Covid-19 pandemic’ the pandemic also occasioned a paradigm shift in preparedness and response mechanisms. “ As a result,  we have made significant and impressive progress towards enhancing our functional capacities, particularly related to emergency coordination, collaborative surveillance, clinical care, risk communication and community engagement.” The PS said.

She said that  Kenya is  also working closely with the international organizations on enhance global health security and is   currently serving as Vice Chair and Bureau member for the WHO AFRO region on the WHO Working Group on amendments to the International Health Regulations (WGIHR).

The PS revealed that Kenya has also stepped up participation in the ongoing Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) to draft and negotiate a Convention, Agreement or other international instruments under the Constitution of the World Health Organization to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. “This among other efforts   are a show of     Government’s commitment   to shield     Kenyans from   global health threats.”  Ms. Muthoni said.