Equity Group Foundation has set aside Sh85 million to support mental psychosocial programmes for health workers across the country.
While donating personal protective equipment at Siakago hospital in Mbeere North Sub County, Equity Bank Chief Executive Officer Dr. James Mwangi said due to Covid-19 pandemic health workers are experiencing mental stress while in the line of duty.
Dr. Mwangi said in order to cushion the health workers from the adverse effects of the pandemic, the Foundation has set aside the funds that will be channeled to health workers’ associations so as to set up the programmes in the next 18 months.
The CEO further revealed that through partnership with Kenya Covid-19 Fund Board, Equity Group Foundation has raised over Sh1.4 billion for continuous supply of PPEs to government and mission hospitals.
He noted that they are supporting 56 government hospitals and 60 mission hospitals with PPEs for the next 18 months.
Dr. Mwangi said due to cheap prices of the PPEs which are currently produced in the country they are able to sustain supply of the PPEs to the hospitals.
He appreciated the effort by the country for the local production of PPEs which has put Kenya as the leading country in Africa in exporting the PPEs adding that they are also exported in Europe.
The CEO said this effort in supplying the equipment is aimed at ensuring the hospitals are fully prepared for the anticipated fourth wave of Covid-19.
On the effect of the pandemic on the economy, Dr. Mwangi said two million jobs have been lost in the formal sector and another five million in the informal sector.
He further noted the economy has dropped by Sh1 trillion which requires concerted effort by all in production and services provision to recover.
Deputy Governor of Embu and the acting CEC in charge of health David Kariuki appreciated the immense contribution by Equity in supplementing the government in the fight against the pandemic.
Kariuki said the county government will continue working closely with the bank and other like-minded players in matters touching Wananchi.
By Kimani Tirus
