The Kenya Private Sector Alliance has handed over a shipment of Personal Protective Equipment and other medical equipment worth Kshs16 Million to the Ministry of Health.
In response to the call from the Government of Kenya to mobilize resources to combat the coronavirus pandemic, KEPSA through KHF and its partners including BobMill, L’Oreal East Africa, Covestro, and Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK), have this morning presented an array of donations to the Ministry of Health. The donations including the mackintosh covered hospital mattresses will remain a valuable tool beyond the immediate need and will be used long after the pandemic in improving the long-term capacity of our healthcare system.
Dr. Amit Thakker, the KHF chairman, said: “The donations will be distributed to both public and private healthcare facilities at the front line of the fight against the pandemic and that will depend on how much they need.”
He said the private sector is glad to report that PrideInn had also contributed by way of waiving the accommodation costs of the 72 individuals quarantined at the PrideInn Centres.
The donations include consumables such as N95 face masks, sanitisers, surgical masks, face shields as well as others that will be useful for the long term, such as mattresses with mackintosh covers.
Dr. Kepha Ombacho, the Director of Special Programmes at the Health ministry, thanked the private sector for showing solidarity with the government as it continues to battle the spread of the virus.
“In spite of the tough business environment on account of COVID-19 outbreak, the private sector has found it necessary to join hands with the government in flattening the curve,” said Dr. Ombacho at the ceremony at Afya House.
“The donations will go a long way in boosting our response to this pandemic. The mattresses will be sent to the quarantine centres in the border points of Kajiado, Marsabit and Moyale that have now been identified as emerging hotspots,” Dr. Ombacho said.
KEPSA CEO Carol Karuga said that the private sector is working tirelessly to source for funds and equipment to be distributed to first responders and frontline healthcare professionals.
“We are excited that members of the private sector continue responding to our calls to assist with visible impact. We will continue to mobilize private sector leadership and resources to support health facilities to respond to the crisis but also to use their reach to increase awareness about the pandemic,” Ms. Karuga said.
The donations included: 230 Mackintosh covered hospital mattresses (Covestro & BobMill), hand sanitizers (L’Oreal East Africa), over 1,716 N95 Masks (Young Presidents Organization), 10 cartons glove and 50 litres of sanitizer (GoodLife Pharmacy), greenline masks, face shield, and 3PLY surgical masks (SKAL Kenya).
The Architectural Association of Kenya handed over a handbook on proposed guidelines on planning and design of COVID-19 Quarantine and Treatment centres, and long term infrastructural intervention for the Kenya context while Dimension Data will provide on-net connectivity and bandwidth for frontline healthcare facilities.
In March, KEPSA launched “Flowers of Hope” campaign under its economic framework for COVID-19 response. Through the campaign that has ensured that farmworkers do not lose their jobs, KEPSA has distributed flowers to hospitals in Kenya and Europe and will be distributing 300 bouquets to nurses to mark the International Day of the Nurse, KEPSA CEO Carole Karuga said.