This archive report was first published on 25 June 2020.
On June 25, 2020, the Kenya COVID-19 Fund Board, in partnership with Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) and Equity Group Foundation (EGF), embarked on a strategic long-term initiative to mitigate supply chain disruptions by enhancing the quality and production of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) in the country.
Over 95 local manufacturers have been trained on quality development of PPEs by McKinsey & Company, with funding support from the UK Department for International Development (DFID), as part of a partnership with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Enterprise Development (MoITED).
The training aimed to educate the manufacturers on how to meet national standards (MOH and Kenya Bureau of Standards) and international quality standards (British Standards, European Standards) in production of PPEs and in the creation of efficient supply chains.
Dr. James Mwangi, Chair of the Health Committee of the COVID-19 Fund Board, led a team of health professionals representing various medical associations to assess the capacity and quality of PPEs currently in production by local manufacturers.
Prof. Isaac Macharia, Chair of the COVID-19 Board Health Technical Committee, applauded local manufacturers for their quick turnaround time for producing PPEs that meet local and international standards for healthcare workers.
Dr. Mwangi expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Health for frontloading the importation of PPEs worth Kshs 400 Million, which gave the COVID-19 Fund Board the time to engage with local manufacturers and support them to start local production.
