This archive report was first published on 22 June 2020.
On June 21, 2020, the Ministry of Health in Kenya announced the introduction of a home-based care system for non-critical COVID-19 patients, allowing them to recuperate at home under medical supervision.
According to Health CS Mutagi Kagwe, 550 non-critical cases have been allowed to leave various hospitals and recover at their homes.
The Kenyatta University Teaching and Referral Hospital has discharged 338 active cases, while the Coast General Hospital has discharged 212 patients.
Those discharged will be required to stick to the guidelines by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for the requisite 14 days.
The decision to discharge non-critical cases was informed by the increasing positive cases at various hospitals, with the Mbagathi Hospital and Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral & Research Hospital almost filling up with COVID-19 patients.
Health CAS Rashid Aman noted that community health workers will be involved in the daily assessment of home-based patients, and that the Nyumba Kumi initiative will play a key role in home-based care in informal settlements.
