Equity Foundation, Kenya Covid-19 fund start distribution of PPEs to Public Hospitals, Medical and Dental Students
By Shadrack Musumba
Equity Group foundation in Conjunction to Kenya Covid-19 Fund Board has kicked off the second round of distribution of Personal protective Equipment (PPEs) to public hospitals across all the 47 counties in Kenya and 11 universities with medical and dental schools.
The second consignment of PPEs for public hospitals is valued at Kshs 125M with an additional consignment for final year medical and dental students from 11 universities valued at Kshs 10M.
This is a part of its sustained efforts to protect medics from the COVID-19 virus.
The consignment entails respirator masks, 3,-ply surgical masks, reinforced disposable gowns, medical scrubs among other protective equipment summing up to Ksh.135million.
Beneficiary institutions include; University of Nairobi, Moi University, Kenyatta University, Jomo Kenyatta University of Science and Technology, Maseno University, Masinde Muliro University, Egerton University, Kenya Methodist University, Mount Kenya University and Uzima University.
Speaking during the event, Equity Group Managing Director Dr James Mwangi and CEO, who doubles up as the Chair of the Kenya COVID-19 Fund Board Health Committee noted that both Equity Group Foundation and the Kenya COVID-19 Fund Board remain committed to fulfilling their promise of supporting the medical fraternity serving in public hospitals with PPEs to safeguard health workers serving on the frontline in mitigating the COVID- 19 pandemic.
“As EGF, we saw the need to support and reinforce the efforts by the Ministry of Health and the Kenya COVID-19 Fund Board in strengthening the health response through protecting our heroes who are at the forefront of serving Kenyans. We chose to also include medical and dental final year students who are eager to complete their training and be posted across the country to serve as interns where they are needed. The PPEs donated today will protect them and will also allow them to continue with their duties without worrying about their safety as they complete their noble duties.” added Dr. Mwangi.
The Secretary Covid-19 fund Kennedy Kihara stated that they are tasked with the mandate to fundraise and spend the funds to cushion lives of Kenyans amidst Covid-19 pandemic.
“We are delighted to partner with Equity in the health response and in boosting the confidence of our healthcare workers by availing PPEs in a timely manner. We urge all the beneficiaries of these PPEs to make effective use of them and to be good stewards of the resources allocated to them. ”
He added that the Kenya COVID-19 Fund Board and Equity Group Foundation has for the past six months embarked on an initiative to support frontline health workers in public hospitals with PPEs as well as establishing a vibrant psychosocial support and mental wellness program, and has now commenced the second phase of the PPE distribution amidst a recently escalating case load of infections across the country.
University of Nairobi, Medical Students Association Chair Amir Mumin, lauded the efforts of the Kenya COVID-19 Fund Board and Equity Group Foundation noting, “The year has been tough, we had to close school indefinitely and when we resumed learning, we were still at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the growing demand for PPEs due to the high positivity rate, the costs of PPEs have continued to escalate and as students this became a challenge for us. We sincerely appreciate the Kenya COVID-19 Fund Board, Equity Group Foundation and the administration of the University of Nairobi for thinking about us and prioritizing our safety. We commit to perform our duties with zeal and to using what we have been given efficiently.”
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