Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) has received a major boost in the fight against Covid-19 after receiving 20 ventilators from the US Government.
The Zoll ventilators donated through the International Aid Agency-USAID is part of the American Government contribution to healthcare support in the country.
USAID Deputy Head of Mission Patrick Wilson who presented the medical equipment to the health facility said the donation shows the commitment of the people of the United States, through their Government, in standing with international partners towards guaranteeing good health to all.
He said the US Government was committed to engaging with the Kenyan Government in combating the COVID-19 pandemic by availing medical equipment that will help healthcare workers in managing their patients.
Addressing the press after receiving the equipment, MTRH CEO Dr. Wilson Aruasa said the ventilators would greatly assist patients with respiratory complications.
“The donated ventilators will scale up the hospital’s critical care of patients referred from across the region, especially during this time of COVID-19 Pandemic,” said the CEO
He added that patients with other related illness such as liver and kidney conditions would also benefit from the equipment.
“As a health facility, we manage patients from as far as Southern Uganda who visit the facility for specialized care,” said Dr. Aruasa
He lauded the US government for their continuous assistance to Kenya enumerating the achievements spanning 40 years of Strategic Partnerships with a Consortium of Top American Universities led by Indiana University, saying that great partnership has shaped healthcare approach in the hospital.
Dr. Aruasa said Covid-19 cases have continued to increase sharply noting that of November, the hospital recorded very high cases of Covid -19 patients who were using a high flow of oxygen.
“Those in home-based care were also supplied with the ventilators,” said the medic and urged residents not to relax on the Covid -19 containment regulations.
MTRH Board Chairman Joseph Lagat thanked US partners for playing an incredible developmental role in the expansion and healthcare specialization at MTRH.
Others present during the presentation included AMPATH Executive Director Prof. Sylvester Kimaiyo, and Dr. Dan Guiles and Dr. Caitrin Kelly from Indiana University.
By Kiptanui Cherono
