Nairobi, October 7- Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has said the government is considering converting the Laikipia quarantine facility into a Level 6 infectious disease hospital, subject to the outcome of an ongoing court case.
Speaking during an interview with NTV, Duale said the government would determine the future of the facility once the courts issue a decision on the matter.
The facility was initially designed as a 50-bed Level 6 centre, but the government is now considering expanding its purpose and capacity.
Duale said Kenya could work with American partners to establish a regional infectious disease hospital at the site, arguing that the country needs a specialised facility to respond to major disease outbreaks.
He proposed that the facility could eventually have a capacity of between 200 and 300 beds and operate at a level comparable to Kenyatta National Hospital.
According to the CS, the hospital would focus specifically on infectious diseases and public health emergencies, including outbreaks such as Ebola.
Duale, however, declined to give further details on the legal dispute surrounding the Laikipia facility, saying the matter remains before the courts and that the government would act based on the court’s direction.
