This archive report was first published on 20 June 2020.
On June 20, 2020, the Kenya COVID-19 Fund and Equity Group Foundation announced a partnership with the Kenya Medical Association (KMA) to provide training to 50,000 healthcare workers across the country.
The training program, which will run for a year, aims to equip healthcare workers with the necessary skills to manage COVID-19 cases effectively. The program will focus on case management, the application and use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and psychosocial support to help healthcare workers cope with the daily challenges of serving on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The initiative has been financed by the Kenya COVID-19 Fund and Equity Group Foundation at a cost of Ksh. 85 million.
Dr. Elizabeth Gitau, CEO of the Kenya Medical Association, welcomed the initiative, stating that it will assist in scaling and reaching more members. She noted that many frontline workers are ill-prepared to face a global health emergency, leading to anxiety, depression, insomnia, and a lessening of the professional demeanor and skill.
The program will be implemented by KMA in partnership with the National Nurses Association of Kenya, Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists' Union, Kenya Psychiatric Association, and Clinical Psychologists' Association of Kenya, among others.
Mr. Alfred Obengo, Chairman of the National Nurses Association, appreciated the Kenya COVID-19 Fund and Equity Group Foundation for their support, stating that healthcare workers are exposed to both physical and emotional challenges that pose a threat to their welfare and the healthcare system.
The coalition will follow Ministry of Health guidelines to ensure that the training is cascaded to all counties in the country. The program targets to reach 50,000 health workers of all cadres to boost confidence and enhance professional acumen in dealing with the COVID-19 health crisis.
