According to Bloomberg's report on June 23, local time, Kenyan Health Minister Arden Duale announced that he had ordered a suspension of the project to build Ebola isolation facilities for American citizens. Previously, the High Court of Kenya had issued an injunction regarding the project, and Duale was fined for contempt of court for ignoring the injunction.
Duale told the court, ‘I have ordered a immediate and complete stop to any preparations or related activities related to the construction of facilities at Laker Pia Air Force Base. I never intended to ignore, weaken, or disobey the court’s orders.’
According to Duale's previous statement, the United States has pledged to provide Kenya with $13.5 million. Part of this funds will be used to help establish 23 Ebola isolation facilities in Kenya. One of these facilities is located at the Leki Pia Air Base, equipped with 50 beds, intended for the care of American citizens who have been exposed to the virus.
This plan has drawn strong opposition from people from all walks of life in Kenya. On June 1st, hundreds of youths gathered in the central Kenyan town of Nanyuki to protest. Some argue that given Kenya’s weak medical system and scarce resources, foreign Ebola patients should not be allowed to receive isolation treatment within the country.
According to Reuters report on the 23rd, satellite images show that within the related facilities, the number of tents has increased compared to the images taken earlier this month. The paved area has also expanded, and construction progress is significant, including the appearance of structures suspected to be containers.
According to flight tracking data and sources from the United States and diplomatic officials, despite a ruling by the Kenyan High Court, flights carrying medical equipment and professionals continue to arrive at that air force base.
A US official told Reuters last week that the plane is still landing at the airbase to deliver supplies, and the crew is being trained on site.
The Ebola outbreak in Africa is at a "crucial stage of response." The Congolese Ministry of Health reported on the 21st that the cumulative number of confirmed cases of Ebola in the country has reached 1,003, with 254 deaths.
