This archive report was first published on 3 July 2020.
On July 3, 2020, the Kenya COVID-19 Fund began supplying public hospitals with locally manufactured personal protective equipment (PPEs) to support healthcare workers dealing with COVID-19 patients.
The Ministry of Health has identified 68 public hospitals that will receive the PPEs for up to 18 months, valued at Kshs 237 million.
The Kenya COVID-19 Fund Board is partnering with Equity Group Foundation (EGF) to distribute the PPEs, which include disposable gowns, surgical masks, N95 respirator masks, nitrile gloves, head/hair covers, shoe covers, and gumboots.
Kenya's public hospitals are receiving much-needed support in the fight against COVID-19, thanks to the efforts of the Kenya COVID-19 Fund and its partners.
Chairperson of the Kenya COVID-19 Fund Board, Mrs. Jane Karuku, assured that the funds received at the Board are being well utilized through a governance structure that includes independent auditors.
Dr. James Mwangi, Chair of the Health Committee of the Kenya COVID-19 Fund Board, expressed confidence in the board members' skills and commitment to ensure the mandate of the Board is well executed with transparency and efficiency.
Dr. Mwangi also announced that the COVID-19 Fund Board has embarked on procuring the second batch of PPEs worth Ksh 400 million, saying, “It is important to build a reservoir of PPEs to sustainably equip our frontline medical workers.”
Professor Isaac Macharia, the technical lead on the Health Committee of the COVID-19 Fund Board, commended the collaboration between the medical fraternity and local manufacturers, saying, “This initiative has given us the opportunity to work closely with local manufacturers in improving the quality of the PPEs.”
