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Equity Group Foundation (EGF), with support from the Mastercard Foundation, Wednesday announced a commitment of Ksh 1.1 billion to provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to frontline medical staff dealing with COVID-19 patients in public hospitals in Kenya.
Equity Bank said ithas contributed KSh300 million and MasterCard has put in KSh500 million.
The funding also includes a donation of Ksh 300million from the family of Dr. James Mwangi, the Founding Chairman of EGF and Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Equity Group Holdings Plc.
EGF will work in partnership with the Ministry of Health and the COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund to ensure a coordinated effort on the national priorities of combating the pandemic, reap the benefits of economies of scale, maximise resource allocation and avoid duplication of efforts in the provision of PPEs.
“It started when my attention was drawn to a group of students and doctors who were raising funds for PPEs for young post graduate students especially in Kenyatta National and Referral Hospital,” Mwangi said.
“When I shared the need with my family, a robust discussion revealed the urgency to holistically address the issue as it was not prudent to provide the PPEs to students without also focusing on the plight of the doctors, nurses, clinical officers, and medical staff.”
Kenya Medical Association and a group of doctors from Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) and the University of Nairobi where they established the need for PPEs for medical staff handling Covid-19 patients in the country.
“A team of seven was formed to help structure this initiative,” Dr. Mwangi said.
- Prof. Isaac Macharia ENT, Specialist Chairman
- Dr. Louis Litswa Specialist Anesthetist and
- Critical Care Specialist Member
- Dr. Elizabeth Gitau Kenya Medical Association Member
- Dr. Chibanzi Mwachonda Secretary General, Kenya Medical &
- Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU)
Member
- Mr. Alfred Obengo Secretary General-National Nurses Association of Kenya Member
- Dr. Joanne Korir Quality Assurance–Equity Afia Secretary
The committee will coordinate the implementation of the initiative to ensure availability of PPE’s across the country and will help to scale up a mental wellness support system for medical staff initiated by the Kenya Medical Association (KMA).
Equity Bank Chairman Professor Isaac Macharia said, “The Board of Equity recognizes the vital role of health care workers on the front line and is proud to partner with universities and public hospitals in ensuring the safety of our health care workers.”
