Equity Group Foundation has bolstered the war on COVID-19 with Ksh 1.1 billion donation towards the provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to frontline medical staff dealing with COVID-19 patients in public hospitals in Kenya.
Equity Bank, MasterCard Foundation and the family of Dr James Mwangi has made the commitment to support the fight against the spread and containment of coronavirus.
Equity Bank donated (Ksh 300million) while Mastercard Foundation donated (Ksh 500million). Equity Group Holdings managing director and CEO Mwangi’s family donated Ksh300 million.
In a statement, the EGF committee said it will coordinate efforts on “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.”
Dr Mwangi said that he was struck by a group of students who were raising funds to purchase PPE’s.
“It started when my attention was drawn to a group of students and doctors who were raising funds for PPE’s for young post graduate students especially in Kenyatta National and Referral Hospital (KNH).”
“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 PPE’s to students without also focusing on the plight of the doctors, nurses, clinical officers, and medical staff.” Dr. Mwangi is a member of Kenya’s COVID-19 Emergency Fund Board.
EGf will work with the Ministry of Health and COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund set up by President Uhuru Kenyatta in ensuring that what has been envisaged is achieved. Notably, Dr Mwangi is a member of the COVID-19 Fund.
Among other things, the committee will ensure that PPE’s across the country are available. It will also step up in enhancing mental awareness support system for all medical staff courtesy of the Kenya Medical Association (KMA).
Equity Bank (Kenya) Ltd. Chairman Professor Isaac Macharia on his part stated that frontline care health workers are playing a crucial role in the fight against COVID-19, sentiments shared by President and CEO of the Mastercard Foundation Reeta Roy.
Health care workers are at the frontlines of caring for all of us, safeguarding community health. We must keep them safe. We are grateful that this partnership meets the immediate needs precipitated by COVID-19, which the Foundation is prioritizing through our Mastercard Foundation COVID-19 Recovery and Resilience Program,” Roy stated.
Dr Mwangi called for collective responsibility among Kenyans in fighting coronavirus by observing regulations laid down by the Ministry of Health.
He urged Kenyans to practice social distance, proper hygiene and the wearing of face masks at all time while in public spaces.
