Principal Secretary of the State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards, Mary Muthoni, addressing diplomats during an informative session in Nairobi. PHOTO/MOH
By BRENDA TATU
newshub@eyewitness.africa
Kenya’s Ministry of Health has outlined meticulous, proactive and comprehensive health and safety measures ahead of the Africa Climate Week 2023 set to take place in the country in Setptember.
Principal Secretary of the State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards, Mary Muthoni, announced the deployment of Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) ambulances to cater to dignitaries, augmenting the existing Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulances positioned strategically across event locations.
The organizers’ firm commitment to stringent health precautions, efficient emergency response, and meticulous public health inspections underscores their dedication to creating a secure environment for all participants.
Addressing the Diplomatic Corps during an informative session in Nairobi, PS Muthoni, said the strategic deployment is designed to provide swift medical assistance to delegates in the event of emergencies.
Muthoni emphasized the positioning of health clinics to ensure effortless accessibility for all participants, including those with specific needs.
“Both clinics will be amply staffed with Human Resources for Health (HRH) and meticulously stocked with pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical supplies, meticulously equipped to address an extensive range of health conditions. To further fortify emergency readiness, five strategically stationed ambulances will remain on standby throughout the event venue,” she confirmed.
This year’s Africa Climate Week will take place from 4-8 September 2023 in Nairobi, hosted by the government of Kenya. ACW 2023 will be organized in parallel with the Africa Climate Summit on 4-6 September, also hosted by Kenya.
ACW 2023 and all the Regional Climate Weeks provide a platform for policymakers, practitioners, businesses and civil society to exchange on climate solutions, barriers to overcome and opportunities realized in different regions.
The Weeks consider four major systems-based tracks with a view to providing region-focused contributions to inform the global stocktake: energy systems and industry, cities, urban and rural settlements, infrastructure and transport, land, ocean, food and water and societies, health, livelihoods, and economies.
The first global stocktake will conclude at COP28 in UAE in December of this year. The stocktake offers a unique opportunity to call for decisive change. It is an opportunity to urgently respond to the need to accelerate progress by collectively embarking on a swift and profound transformation of our economic and social systems.
The Principal Secretary also highlighted the Ministry’s unwavering dedication to maintaining elevated health standards. To this end, public health teams are poised to carry out comprehensive inspections of all accommodations and conduct thorough vetting of food vendors catering to delegates.
These stringent measures have been put in place to ensure unwavering compliance with health standards and eliminate any potential medical-related concerns.
Muthoni reemphasized the Ministry’s steadfast commitment to health and safety, underscoring the pivotal role of fostering a secure environment for all participants during this significant International Summit.
As delegates assemble to address critical Climate Change issues and forge collaborations, the comprehensive health measures instituted aim to ensure a successful and worry-free event for all attendees.
