COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS ON EBOLA

NEPHAK Leads the Conversation on Ebola Prevention and Protecting People Living with HIV.

As neighboring countries continue to respond to Ebola outbreaks, preparedness has become more important than ever. While Kenya has not reported any Ebola cases, proactive planning, strong partnerships, and informed communities remain the country’s best defense against future outbreaks. Recognizing this urgency, the National Empowerment Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Kenya (NEPHAK) convened a high-level virtual stakeholder dialogue on 23rd June 2026 to strengthen Ebola pandemic preparedness, prevention, and response for People Living with HIV (PLHIV).

The meeting brought together representatives from the Ministry of Health, NASCOP, UNAIDS, WHO Kenya, the National Public Health Institute (NPHI), LVCT Health, civil society organizations, community health promoters, development partners, healthcare workers, and PLHIV networks. Together, participants explored how Kenya can build resilient systems that protect vulnerable populations while ensuring continuity of essential HIV services during public health emergencies.

1. Preparedness Starts Before an Outbreak

One message resonated throughout the discussions: “preparedness cannot begin when an outbreak is already underway”. With Ebola cases reported in neighboring countries, stakeholders emphasized the need for Kenya to strengthen surveillance, improve risk communication, and invest in community engagement before the virus reaches its borders.

Dr. Amenyah, UNAIDS Multi-Country Director, reminded participants that effective preparedness requires a whole-of-society approach, where governments, civil society, communities, healthcare workers, and development partners work together to protect public health. Participants also highlighted the importance of addressing misinformation, strengthening response capacity, and ensuring that vulnerable populations, including PLHIV  continue receiving uninterrupted healthcare services during emergencies.

• Communities Are the First Line of Defense

One of the strongest themes emerging from the dialogue was the indispensable role of communities in preventing and responding to disease outbreaks.

Presentations from LVCT Health emphasized that Ebola preparedness should not operate as a standalone intervention. Instead, preparedness efforts must be integrated into existing health systems and community structures. Civil society organizations, community health promoters, peer educators, and PLHIV networks are uniquely positioned to raise awareness, identify suspected cases early, support contact tracing, and combat misinformation within communities.

Participants agreed that communities must not simply receive information they should be  actively included to participate in planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of preparedness activities. Community ownership strengthens trust, encourages early reporting, and ultimately saves lives.

• Building Stronger Systems Through Collaboration

The meeting highlighted several ongoing preparedness initiatives aimed at strengthening Kenya’s readiness. These include:

• Community awareness and sensitization campaigns.
• Training of healthcare workers and frontline responders.
• Continuous medical education and mentorship.
• Digital innovations, including educational resources and risk communication platforms.
• Active participation in national and county preparedness coordination mechanisms.

These initiatives demonstrate the value of collaboration between government agencies, civil society organizations, healthcare workers, and development partners in building resilient health systems.

• Protecting HIV Services During Public Health Emergencies

For NEPHAK, preparedness extends beyond preventing Ebola transmission, it also means protecting the health and wellbeing of People Living with HIV.

Past public health emergencies have shown that disruptions to HIV treatment and care can have devastating consequences.

NASCOP emphasized that Kenya’s HIV programme remains strong and capable of supporting broader emergency response efforts. Participants emphasized  the importance of maintaining commodities security, ensuring uninterrupted access to treatment, strengthening communication with communities, and reassuring PLHIV that essential services will continue even during outbreaks.

• Kenya’s Preparedness Journey

Representatives from the National Public Health Institute shared encouraging updates on Kenya’s preparedness efforts. To date:

• Screening has been strengthened at 26 points of entry.
• More than 2,900 individuals have been trained and sensitized.
• Healthcare workers have participated in simulation exercises.
• Active surveillance systems have been strengthened through KEMRI and CDC laboratories.
• No Ebola cases have been reported in Kenya.

While these achievements are significant, participants acknowledged that continued investment in community surveillance, public awareness, stigma reduction, and cross-border preparedness remains essential.

• Looking Ahead

The dialogue concluded with a shared commitment to strengthen community-based surveillance, improve risk communication, build the capacity of healthcare workers and community organizations, protect uninterrupted HIV services, and leverage existing PLHIV networks to support preparedness efforts across Kenya.

As NEPHAK, we believe that resilient communities are built through partnership, trust, and meaningful community engagement. By bringing together government institutions, civil society, development partners, healthcare workers, and people living with HIV, we are helping ensure that Kenya remains prepared, not only to prevent and respond to Ebola, but also to safeguard the health, dignity, and wellbeing of every person.

Preparedness is everyone’s responsibility, and communities remain at the heart of every successful public health response.