Kenya and IGAD Unite to Bolster Mpox Preparedness
The high-level meeting focused on fostering cross-border strategies to enhance preparedness and response to the growing threat of Mpox in the region.
Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards, Mary Muthoni, CBS, met with a delegation from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to strengthen regional collaboration in combating Mpox and other health emergencies. Photo/Ministry of Health.
By Robert Assad
Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards, Mary Muthoni, CBS, met with a delegation from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to strengthen regional collaboration in combating Mpox and other health emergencies.
The high-level meeting focused on fostering cross-border strategies to enhance preparedness and response to the growing threat of Mpox in the region.
The discussions underscored the critical need for a multi-sectoral One Health approach, which integrates human, animal, and environmental health systems to tackle emerging infectious diseases.
Principal Secretary Muthoni emphasized Kenya’s commitment to operationalizing the One Health framework, describing it as a cornerstone for bolstering both national and regional health security.
“By aligning our efforts across borders and sectors, we can build resilient systems to protect our communities from health threats like Mpox,” she stated.
The IGAD delegation, led by Mubarak Mabuyu, Director for Health and Social Development, and Dr. Fatuma Adan, IGAD Head of Mission to Kenya, praised Kenya’s proactive stance in addressing health emergencies.
They highlighted the importance of regional cooperation in sharing resources, expertise, and data to mitigate the spread of Mpox and prevent future outbreaks.
The delegation also discussed plans to enhance surveillance, improve early warning systems, and coordinate rapid response mechanisms across IGAD member states.
This meeting comes amid rising concerns about Mpox in the region, with health officials calling for unified action to curb its spread. The One Health approach, endorsed by both Kenya and IGAD, aims to address the complex interplay of factors contributing to zoonotic diseases, ensuring a holistic response to public health challenges.
The collaboration marks a significant step toward regional health security, with Kenya and IGAD pledging to deepen their partnership. As the threat of Mpox persists, this joint effort is expected to pave the way for stronger, more coordinated health systems across East Africa.
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