This archive report was first published on 21 June 2020.
On June 21, 2020, Kenya's Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe announced the launch of the country's home-based care programme for Covid-19 patients.
Speaking during the daily MoH press briefing at Afya House, Kagwe disclosed that a batch of 150 Covid-19-positive patients had been released from two hospitals in the country.
Since the programme began, 338 patients had been released from the Kenyatta University Teacher Referral & Research Hospital, while 212 were discharged from Coast General Hospital, bringing the total number of patients under home care to 550 as of June 21.
According to Kagwe, more hospitals would discharge patients as the healthcare system continued to stretch under the pressure of the pandemic.
"We have also now launched the home-based care system by discharging a substantial number of people from hospitals," Kagwe stated.
"From Kenyatta University [Teacher Referral & Research Hospital, we have discharged some 338 persons who are positive for home-based care after the 14-day period recommended by the World Health Organisation [WHO]. From the Coast General Hospital, we have discharged some 212 persons," Kagwe added.
Acting Health Director-General Patrick Amoth noted that the state had ensured that the patients released had suitable space for home care and that there was a person who would take care of the patients.
According to an earlier statement issued by the state, the home-based care system would be recommended for asymptomatic patients without underlying conditions such as lung or heart disease.
