This archive report was first published on 22 June 2020.
Government's Covid-19 Response Raises More Questions Than Answers ¶
As the world grapples with the Covid-19 pandemic, Kenya's government has been under scrutiny for its response to the crisis. While the country has managed to keep its death toll relatively low, a recent encounter with a family who lost their mother to the disease has raised more questions than answers.
According to Jane Doe, the daughter of the deceased, her mother's diagnosis was delayed due to a shortage of reagents at government-designated testing facilities. The family was forced to pay Sh8,000 for a private test, which returned a positive result within 24 hours.
However, the family's experience with the government's response was far from smooth. They were advised to self-quarantine, but no official came to check on them. The doctor assigned to their case called 24 hours later, advising them to keep their mother at home due to the overwhelmed isolation facilities.
Tragically, the mother collapsed the next day and was pronounced dead by the ambulance crew. The family was left to transport her body to the morgue in their car, as the police officers they met did not know the protocol for dealing with Covid-19 deaths.
The family's experience highlights the shortcomings in Kenya's handling of the pandemic. The government's response has been criticized for being inadequate, with a lack of support for those affected and a shortage of resources.
As the pandemic continues to spread, it is essential that the government takes a more proactive approach to addressing the crisis. This includes providing adequate resources, support, and guidance to those affected, as well as ensuring that the response is coordinated and effective.
Only then can Kenya truly be said to be on top of the pandemic.
Published on June 22, 2020.
