This archive report was first published on 3 July 2020.
Kenya COVID-19 Fund Distributes Locally Manufactured PPEs to Public Hospitals ¶
On July 2, 2020, the Kenya COVID-19 Fund Board, in partnership with Equity Group Foundation (EGF), began distributing locally manufactured PPEs to public hospitals for use by healthcare workers dealing with COVID-19 patients.
According to the Ministry of Health, 68 public hospitals have been identified to receive PPEs for up to 18 months. The first consignment was valued at Kshs 3,191,370 and included disposable gowns, surgical masks, N95 respirator masks, nitrile gloves, head/hair covers, shoe covers, and gumboots.
The distribution and last-mile delivery of the PPEs are being handled by Fargo Courier, an independent logistics service provider. Speaking during the handover of the PPEs, Chairperson of the Kenya COVID-19 Fund Board Mrs. Jane Karuku assured that the funds received at the Board were being well utilized through a governance structure that includes independent auditors.
Dr. James Mwangi, who Chairs the Health Committee of the Kenya COVID-19 Fund Board, expressed his delight at witnessing the last-mile delivery of the PPEs to public hospitals. He noted that local manufacturers had quickly adapted their capabilities to produce PPEs, with about six manufacturers already attaining national and international quality standards.
Professor Isaac Macharia, the technical lead on the Health Committee of the COVID-19 Fund Board, commended the partnership between the Kenya COVID-19 Fund, EGF, and KAM, which had resulted in a local solution to kit hospitals with the much-needed supply of PPEs.
Speaking on behalf of the Hospital Liaison Committee, Senior Consultant Physician, Dr. William Sigilai reiterated the committee's commitment in ensuring that the PPEs received were used properly by the designated COVID-19 facilities.
The distribution of locally produced PPEs comes 6 weeks after EGF's announcement in May of a Kshs 1.1 Billion (USD 11 Million) investment partnership with Mastercard Foundation, Equity Bank, and the family of Dr. James Mwangi, which was donated towards the provision of PPEs for frontline healthcare workers.
