The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) said the government has excluded doctors from Ebola preparedness and response activities as the country’s confirmed cases rose to seven.

The Ministry of Health confirmed four new infections on Saturday, Oct. 17, including three health workers who treated the index patient and a close relative of the deceased, bringing the total to seven cases.

KMPDU Secretary‑General Dr Davji Atellah urged the ministry to involve doctors in containment efforts and to supply quality protective equipment to safeguard frontline staff.

National Chairman Abidan Mwachi warned that inadequate preparedness and shortages of protective gear could expose medical personnel to the virus while treating patients.

Beyond the Ebola response, Atellah reiterated the union’s demand that the government honour its pledge to recruit more than 2,000 doctors to improve health‑service delivery.

The union also highlighted unresolved salary adjustments, noting that 29 counties have failed to implement previously agreed increases, and warned that health workers could strike if the issues are not settled by the end of October.

KMPDU raised concerns about delayed payments from the Social Health Authority (SHA) to health facilities, saying the backlog could disrupt services if not addressed promptly.

The Ministry of Health maintains that the risk to the general public remains low, with no evidence of community transmission in its latest update.