This archive report was first published on 12 July 2020.
As the country reopens, Kenyans are faced with the harsh reality of a healthcare system struggling to cope with the Covid-19 pandemic. The Council of Governors has revealed that there are only 442 ICU beds and 437 ventilators in the country, far short of the national target of 30,500 units.
According to Acting Health Director-General Patrick Amoth, as of Saturday, there were 44 patients admitted to ICU wards in the country, with 22 on ventilators and another 22 receiving oxygen. Dr. Amoth warned that with the reopening of the country, more cases will be reported.
Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has warned that there will no longer be evacuation of Covid-19 patients with complications to Nairobi, and called on counties to prepare to handle the patients. "This is not out of will, it is out of the fact that by the time we get into that situation, the hospitals in Nairobi will be overwhelmed," Mr. Kagwe said.
Mid-June, the CoG raised the red flag about the counties' state of preparedness to handle the rise in Covid-19 cases. The governors requested for more money and time but President Uhuru Kenyatta did not heed the call, instead opening the country and with that more opportunities for infection.
Outside Nairobi, Murang'a County has the highest number of ICU beds (35) followed by Machakos, with 30. The counties that have not met the target are Baringo, Bomet, Busia Elgeyo Marakwet Embu, Isiolo, Kajiado, Siaya, Taita-Taveta, Tana River, Turkana, Wajir, Kitui, Lamu, Marsabit, Migori, Meru, Nyamira, Samburu and Kisumu.
