This archive report was first published on 23 June 2020.
On June 23, 2020, Safaricom Foundation made a significant contribution to the fight against COVID-19 by donating personal protective equipment (PPEs) worth over Sh7 million to healthcare workers in Meru, Kajiado, and Baringo counties.
The donation, which is part of the foundation's ongoing efforts to support the counties in their response to the pandemic, includes N95 masks, hazardous materials suits, face shields, surgical gowns, and masks, as well as hand sanitizers.
According to Joseph Ogutu, Chairman of the Safaricom Foundation, the health workers are at the forefront of the COVID-19 outbreak response and are exposed to hazards that put them at risk of infection. 'Our health workers are at the front line of the COVID-19 outbreak response and as such are exposed to hazards that put them at risk of infection. That is why we continue to support the counties with PPEs which are crucial in protecting the health workers as they go about their important roles', he said.
In Kajiado County, 200 health workers will receive face masks, eye protectors, gloves, sanitizers, and protective clothing, which will be distributed to Kajiado County Referral Hospital, Ole Kasasi Health Centre, Kitengela Sub-County hospital, and Loitoktok Sub-County Hospital.
In Baringo County, the PPEs will benefit 300 health workers in two health centres and an isolation facility, with equipment including N95 masks, surgical masks, and protective clothing.
Since the first case was reported in the country, the Safaricom Foundation has been at the forefront of various community interventions, including donating PPEs to Uasin Gishu and Mombasa counties, setting up sanitation booths in six counties in Nyanza and Western, and funding water projects in Kibera, Mathare, Kawangware, and Korogocho.
Additionally, in April, Safaricom donated Sh200 million through the Safaricom and M-PESA Foundations towards providing cash transfers for food to support vulnerable communities, as well as thermal cameras worth Sh10 million to the Ministry of Health installed in various border entry points.
