“We Are Not Going to Consult Citizens” – Duale Sparks Storm Over Ebola Facility
The Governments Plan to Build An Ebola Quarantine Facility Sparks A Fuss In Parliament
The government’s plan to set up an Ebola quarantine and isolation facility in Kenya got a rough ride in Parliament on Wednesday with Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale pretty much shutting down any idea of public consultation.
Appearing in the National Assembly, Duale dug in his heels and stuck to his guns that the government are going to go ahead with setting up Ebola prevention measures without first asking for the public’s views. He reckoned that public participation just wasn’t needed under the current health laws.
Government Stands Firm on Ebola Preparedness
Duale cited bits of the Public Health Act in response to MPs asking him what’s the plan with the Ebola quarantine and isolation facility. He made it clear the government’s job is to protect people, not to go out and ask what people think when we’re dealing with a potential health emergency.
“We just don’t need to ask people for their opinions; we’re not going to bother consulting the public. This kind of situation doesn’t call for any consultation,” Duale said firmly – and then repeated it again for good measure.
He was speaking in the midst of a growing public debate about the proposed facility with people actually asking where it’s going to be and how it’ll be run.
Fear of Future Outbreak Drives Urgency
Duale argued that holding back waiting for public opinion could slow down Kenyas Ebola preparedness efforts, all the while the health authorities are kept busy keeping an eye on whats happening in the region.
We had seen what happened in Uganda and The Democratic Republic of Congo in the past and thats why there are worries about a possible cross border outbreak.
Duale warned MPs that if the government don’t get it together and Ebola does end up in the country- there will be hell to pay.
“God forbid that we actually get hit with an Ebola outbreak and have to come back here and explain why Kenyans are dying.
“Before people actually get infected and start dying – the government have got a moral responsibility to protect our people and those who live here or are just passing through,” Duale added.
Ndindi Nyoro Voices Public Opposition
Among those speaking out were Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro – and he had some pretty straight to the point questions for the government – why was the view of ordinary Kenyans left out of the decision making process?
Nyoro claimed that public opinion was pretty clear cut – a lot of Kenyans don’t want the quarantine facility in this country – and that was reflected in his own conversations with people back home.
“You know the old saying – the people who pay your wages. I’m saying to the government its that simple – listen to the people. Kenyans have made it clear – we don’t want that facility here. Please take notice & take it on board”, Nyoro asked.
His concerns were a part of a much bigger debate going on – how should the government go about implementing emergency health measures when its those very people they are trying to protect who could be most deeply affected.
Kenya Already Has Isolation Centres, Says Duale
Despite the criticism from people like Nyoro, Duale said in Parliament that Kenya was pretty well prepared for an Ebola outbreak – we’ve got some strong measures in place to deal with it.
He said that right now we’ve got 23 treatment and isolation centres up and running – ready to go if anything like that were to happen.
Duale also said the facility that the government wants to set up at Laikipia Airbase is going to be run jointly by the Kenyan government and the American government, and that its a small part of a big effort to be more ready for the unexpected.
Balancing Public Concern and Public Safety
The debate in Parliament really highlighted the tough balance that the government has to strike – how do you respond quickly to a health threat without pissing off the public in the process.
Critics are saying that citizens should have a say on matters like this, that its not just about national security – its about their own health and wellbeing. But the government says that sometimes its just not possible to wait for public consultation.
For now – its looking like the administration is pretty set on going ahead with its Ebola plan – but of course there are still a lot of people out there who are saying “hold on a minute” – can’t we have a bit more of a say in all this?
In Other News : Kenya MPs Approve Patient Safety Bill in Major Healthcare Reform Push
“We Are Not Going to Consult Citizens” – Duale Sparks Storm Over Ebola Facility
