Mombasa Strengthens Ebola Preparedness With New MSF Training Centre

Mombasa County has stepped up Ebola preparedness through a partnership with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). The partners have opened a training and simulation centre in Changamwe. The facility prepares healthcare workers to detect, prevent, and respond to a possible Ebola outbreak.

Kenya has not recorded an Ebola case. However, health officials classify Mombasa among the 25 high-risk counties. The county hosts the Port of Mombasa, Moi International Airport, and major regional transport routes.

Healthcare Workers Build Practical Ebola Response Skills

MSF and the county government have started training the first group of 20 healthcare workers. The participants include nurses, doctors, and clinical officers.

MSF Mombasa Nursing Activity Manager and Trainer Caroline Mugun said the programme prepares health workers before an outbreak occurs.

“We have no cases of Ebola in Kenya as we speak, but we recognize the importance of equipping healthcare workers with the knowledge and practical skills needed to respond effectively should a case be reported,” said Mugun.

The two-day programme combines classroom lessons with practical simulations. Participants practise handling suspected Ebola patients. They also learn how to protect themselves and other patients from infection.

MSF plans to train at least 60 healthcare workers from facilities across Mombasa County.

“This is the first batch, and during the course of the week we will conduct additional sessions jointly with the county government to ensure healthcare workers acquire the critical skills required to detect, isolate and respond to Ebola cases,” she said.

Mugun said MSF has enough personal protective equipment and medical supplies. The organisation will support frontline workers if health officials detect a suspected or confirmed Ebola case.

She urged residents to remain calm because Kenya has no Ebola cases. She also advised anyone with symptoms to seek medical care immediately.

County Expands Ebola Preparedness

Mombasa County Health Manager Fatma Ali said Ebola preparedness remains a public health priority. She linked the risk to the county’s busy transport network.

Thousands of travellers enter Mombasa every day. They arrive through the seaport, airport, and major highways. Many truck drivers also travel from neighbouring countries, including Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Fatma said the Changamwe facility will serve two purposes. It will train healthcare workers and provide regular simulation exercises.

“As part of our preparedness efforts, we have partnered with MSF to establish this hub as a centre for training and simulation exercises. In the event that Mombasa records an Ebola case, we want to ensure our healthcare workers are well trained and ready to respond effectively,” she said.

She said regular drills will strengthen early detection. They will improve infection prevention and speed up emergency response. The exercises will also help healthcare workers manage suspected cases safely.

MSF Reaffirms Support

MSF Project Coordinator from Geneva Sarah Lachar said the organisation remains committed to supporting Mombasa County.

“We are very happy to contribute to preparedness by strengthening the skills of healthcare workers in case of an outbreak,” said Lachar.

Health officials said Ebola symptoms include fever, severe body aches, vomiting, diarrhoea, unexplained bleeding, and recent travel to affected countries. Contact with an infected person also increases the risk.

They urged anyone with these symptoms to visit the nearest health facility immediately. They said preparedness, surveillance, and public awareness remain Kenya’s strongest defence against Ebola.