With the pandemic still looming in the country, the need for PPEs for medical workers across hospitals and medical centres has continued to bite.
In light of this, over 3,000 healthcare workers will receive personal protective equipment (PPEs) courtesy of the M-PESA Foundation. The Foundation will work with local manufacturers to procure the PPEs and Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) to distribute them at an estimated cost of Kshs 20 million. This adds to Safaricom’s commitment of over Kshs 250 million in various philanthropic initiatives in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Healthcare workers in 7 Counties will receive the PPEs which include surgical masks, N95 masks, hand sanitisers, gowns, hazmat suits and face shields.
“Never has there been a more appropriate time to focus on health workers. Rarely have they faced such danger on such a massive scale. We have an obligation to keep frontline health workers safe, including making sure they have the personal protective equipment they need, and we are doing our part as M-PESA Foundation to support them,” said John Ohaga, Trustee, M-PESA Foundation.
The 7 counties that will receive the PPEs include Kwale, Machakos, Nairobi, Kilifi, Migori, Kiambu and Busia.
“The pandemic upon us has more than ever bestowed on healthcare workers the greater responsibility of serving humanity. COVID-19 being highly infectious has significantly placed healthcare workers amidst an unprecedented work environment with increased risk of infection and mortality. Therefore, the provision of personal protective equipment is an enormous boost to the occupational, safety and health of all frontline health care workers. We applaud M-PESA Foundation for this gesture in supporting health care workers at their utmost time of need”, said Dr. Chibanzi Mwachonda, Ag. Secretary General, KMPDU.
In the last two months, Safaricom’s other Philanthropic arm, Safaricom Foundation, has donated PPEs to healthcare workers in Meru, Kajiado, Baringo, Uasin Gishu and Mombasa counties. In addition, residents of Kibera, Mathare, Kawangware and Korogocho have also benefited from Safaricom Foundation water funded projects while several Counties have also received handwashing soap.
In April Safaricom donated Kshs 200 Million through the Safaricom and M-PESA Foundations towards providing Cash transfers for food to support vulnerable communities as well as thermal cameras worth Kshs 10 million to the Ministry of Health installed in various border entry points.
