Media and Health experts convene to strengthen Ebola preparedness and response
A two-day CEMA media breakfast briefing and science café brought together media professionals and public health experts to address Ebola preparedness and response in the country, emphasizing the critical role of accurate reporting and community engagement in combating the deadly virus.
The event held on the 11th and 12th June 2026, under the theme "Strengthening Media Capacity for Accurate and Responsible Reporting During Public Health Emergencies," emphasized that while strong surveillance and response systems are vital, they are insufficient on their own. Participants highlighted that accurate reporting of data, maintaining trusted lines of communication with the public, and making decisions firmly rooted in scientific evidence are equally critical components for effectively managing and combating the impact of future health emergencies.
Dr. Loice Ombajo Infectious Disease Specialist and co-director at CEMA, underscored the need for communities to work together with healthcare workers to combat the deadly virus. She further stressed on the importance of community vigilance and correct dissemination of information to enhance collaborative relationship of the community and healthcare workers.
"How a community reacts is the make or break of the Ebola pandemic," she said in her address at the event.
She detailed how the virus spreads for example through bodily fluids, high-risk procedures like phlebotomy and waste handling. Unsafe burial practices were also identified as a significant vector, alongside healthcare breaches such as late isolation of patients and improper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Dr. Loice further highlighted that transmission in regions like the DRC often occurs within communities due to factors like humanitarian crises, population displacement, and attacks on healthcare workers, as well as trade movements.
She firmly stated, "You can’t just hide an Ebola patient in your home and manage it."
She also highlighted the multifaceted nature of Ebola, from its epidemiology and transmission to the challenges of containment.
The discussions also heavily focused on the prevalent threat of misinformation with Dr. Wycliffe Matini warning about the threat that misinformation plays on the response of a health emergency, "Misinformation is spreading faster than Ebola," he stated in his address.
He further went on to emphasize that effective communication is as vital as medical treatment in saving lives.
His sentiments were reiterated by seasoned medical doctor and health journalist Dr. Mercy Korir who echoed these sentiments, stating, "History has shown that one of the greatest threats during public health emergencies do not come from pathogens alone but from rumors, misinformation and disinformation that surround it."
She urged the media to prioritize accuracy, verify information before amplifying it, and to report sensitive stories, particularly those of survivors, with dignity.
In her address at the event Dr. Kanana Kimonye from the Kenya National Public Health Institute (NPHI) presented on Kenya's public health emergency architecture, detailing the collaborative efforts between the Ministry of Health, NPHI, and county governments. NPHI, which was established to centralize public health functions, plays a crucial role in coordinating preparedness and response.
She highlighted the institution’s pivotal role in preparedness and dissemination of critical information in the event of a health emergency with the establishment of Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) in the counties, with a plan to have one in every county to serve as hubs for coordination, collaboration, and communication in public health emergencies.
The forum highlighted the vital uptake of proactive measures, advocating for improved waste management, facility safety, and proper training for healthcare workers, alongside responsible handling of deceased individuals. A practical demonstration on the correct use of PPE was also conducted during the event.
