KEPSA Offers Covid 19 Kits

The Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) in collaboration with other partners today handed over a shipment of Personal Protective Equipment and other medical equipment worth Sh16 million to the Ministry of Health.
The donations included 230 mackintoshes covered hospital mattresses, hand sanitizers, 1,716 N95 masks, 10 cartons of gloves and 50 litres of sanitizer, greenline masks, face shield, and 3-ply surgical masks.
The consignment that will be distributed to both public and private health care facilities countrywide is in response to the government’s call to Kenyans to mobilize resources to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony at Afya House, the Director of Special Programmes at the Health Ministry Dr. Kepha Ombacho, thanked the private sector for showing solidarity with the government as it continues to battle the spread of the virus.
He said the donations will go a long way in boosting the response to the pandemic, saying that the mattresses will be sent to the quarantine centres in the border areas of Kajiado, Marsabit and Moyale that have now been identified as emerging coronavirus hotspots.
“In spite of the tough business environment on account of the Covid-19 outbreak, the private sector has found it necessary to join hands with the government in flattening the curve,” said Dr. Ombacho.
KEPSA CEO Carol Karuga said that the private sector is working tirelessly to source for funds and equipment to be distributed to first responders and frontline healthcare professionals.
“We are excited that members of the private sector continue responding to our calls to assist with visible impact. We will continue to mobilize private sector leadership and resources to support health facilities to respond to the crisis but also to use their reach to increase awareness about the pandemic,” Ms. Karuga said.
She said in March, this year KEPSA launched ‘Flowers of Hope’ initiative under its economic framework for the Covid-19 response campaign to ensure that farmworkers do not lose their jobs, noting that KEPSA has distributed flowers to hospitals in Kenya and Europe.
“We will be distributing 300 bouquets to nurses to mark the International Day of the Nurse,” said Karuga.
Dr. Amit Thakker, the KHF Chairman, said the private sector is glad that PrideInn had also contributed by waiving the accommodation costs of the 72 individuals quarantined at the Pride Inn chain of hotels.
During the ceremony, the Architectural Association of Kenya handed over a handbook on proposed guidelines on planning and design of Covid-19 Quarantine and Treatment centres, and long term infrastructural intervention for the Kenya context while Dimension Data will provide on-net connectivity and bandwidth for frontline healthcare facilities.
The donations were from BobMill, L’Oreal East Africa, Covestro, and Architectural Association of Kenya, Young Presidents Organisation, GoodLife Pharmacy and SKAL Kenya.
By Bernadette Khaduli