KENYA – The Ministry of Health in Kenya has received a certificate of Exemplary Performance from the Secretary, National Cohesion and Values in the Office of the President.

The award is in recognition of the Ministry for emerging top among Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in performance Contract Achievements and reporting on its contribution to National Values in the course of its service delivery during the 2021/2022 reporting period.

While receiving the Certificate on behalf of the ministry, Health Principal Secretary Susan Mochache commended the various Head of Directorates and Departments present.

She urged the departmental heads to continue serving the nation with passion while observing the principles of Cohesion and National Unity.

The Government ministry scored highly in all the National Values and Principles of Governance as outlined in the Constitution of Kenya 2010,” the Ministry of Health said in a press release.

According to an official statement, key highlights in the scores were on the principle of patriotism where the health ministry was commended for excellent services at the Ports of Entry by the Department of Port Health Services.

The department was also acknowledged for its role in guiding the county governments through Health Policy and Standards Formulation and Capacity building for various cadres of health employees in the Counties thus observing the principle of sharing and devolution of power.

The Ministry was praised for upholding the principle of Human dignity through various programmes notable among them being the Memorandum of Understanding with Johnson and Johnson to increase access to mental health services,” the statement highlights.

On the principles of inclusivity and equality, the Government agency was honored for various primary health programmes that cater to Kenyans in marginalized areas.

Meanwhile, Kenya has released an alert to all counties to be vigilant and enhance surveillance especially at the border after it received an alert from the Ministry of Health in Uganda on the outbreak of Ebola in the country.

The Ministry said the alert is in line with the East African Community Health protocols and it further promotes good neighborliness.

Ebola can have a serious socioeconomic impact as demonstrated in the 2014/2016 outbreak in West Africa,” the government office further said.

The agency has urged all countries to activate rapid response teams to support the identification of any suspected cases while making prompt reporting.

In addition, countries have been advised to conduct screening of at-risk populations including travelers, truck drivers, bush meat handlers, and health care workers

Sensitize the community to identify suspected cases and sensitize health care workers on Infection, Prevention and Control (IPC) measures, case management and sample management,” the Ministry of Health stressed.

The ministry further encouraged countries to mobilize all the relevant stakeholders to initiate   prevention, preparedness, and response measures and the development of county EYO contingency plans.

Furthermore, the general public is advised to watch out for any person presenting with acute onset of fever and any Ebola virus symptoms, especially if in contact with persons with a history of travel from Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo within the previous three weeks.

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