This archive report was first published on 4 June 2020.
Kenya's Ministry of Health has made significant strides in developing Covid-19 protocols for home-based care, which are set to be implemented nationwide.
According to Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, the guidelines are in line with World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations and will be rolled out as early as next week.
CS Kagwe noted that 80% of Covid-19 patients are asymptomatic, making it unnecessary to keep them in hospitals. The move is also aimed at decongesting health and quarantine facilities, which were nearing full capacity.
The government will intervene for families without the capacity to manage patients with mild symptoms or no symptoms at all and their contacts.
Those in isolation will be released to be quarantined in their homes once the protocols are out, which have been customized depending on the situation.
CS Kagwe made the revelation on Thursday as 124 more people tested positive for the new coronavirus, bringing the national tally to 2,340.
He warned that the country is not out of the woods yet, as the disease is firmly rooted within the communities, adding that with the rising numbers, it was time to look at other ways to cope.
“With the fight against the virus raging, over 80 per cent of our patients in hospitals are asymptomatic, and therefore, may be managed from home. If this is implemented, it would free our health facilities from congestion. The Ministry of Health is in the process of actualizing home and community-based care protocols, for roll out and to be implemented countrywide” he said.
He emphasized that a high degree of discipline will be expected from those who will be managing their loved ones, adding that citizens are the warriors against this disease.
On quarantine escapees, CS Kagwe said the Ministry of Health will not hesitate to publish their photographs on the newspapers, as they are a danger to the society.
