MultiChoice Kenya has in a rare show of embracing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) donated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) worth Sh2.3 million to the Ministry of Health to boost in the fight against Covid-19 pandemic.
The donation was presented to Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe at his Afya House office by MultiChoice Kenya Managing Director Nancy Matimuin presence of MultiChoice Kenya chairperson Dr. Naim Bilal.
Matimu said the consignment comprising an assortment of face masks and isolation gowns are intended for people in high-risk areas and those at the frontline workers.
Speaking while receiving the donation, the CS applauded MultiChoice Kenya for the highly targeted and timely contribution.
“We are pleased to receive the PPE’s from MultiChoice Kenya, a brand that has operated in the country for 26 years and has Kenyans at heart, evidenced by initiatives such as this to support the underprivileged sections of the society. On behalf of the Government of Kenya, I want to thank MultiChoice Kenya for the generous contribution and expression of solidarity towards fighting this disease and keeping Kenyans safe.” He said.
On her part, Matimu appreciated the government through the Ministry of Health, the medical fraternity, private sector and the general public for their collective efforts towards the fight against COVID-19 in these unprecedented times.
“At MultiChoice Kenya, we recognize that co-operation and solidarity is important from each one of us at individual and collective levels alike. We therefore come here today, to commit our solemn support towards the COVID-19 pandemic fight in Kenya. Our support today comes in the form of Personal Protective Equipment constituting a total of 12,000 KN95 Face Masks and 2,000 Disposable Isolation Gowns – valued at Sh2.3 million. We are grateful for the opportunity to make yet another contribution and support the efforts of the government, the private sector, donor agencies and other players,” said Matimu.
According to Kagwe, the rise in the number of confirmed cases and deaths in the country requires more strategic and long-term support from partners. This ultimately includes support even to the health workers, some of who have contracted the disease in the course of their life-saving work.
MultiChoice Kenya further assured the government of its continued commitment to uphold the highest health and safety standards in safeguarding its employees, trade partners and customers wherever they are.
Meanwhile, the CS said that the government was pursuing the acquisition of one million doses of vaccines each from Pfizer as well as Johnson and Johnson respectively to supplement the AstraZeneca vaccines.
Kagwe noted that the vaccines will have to pass approvals from the World Health Organisation as well as the country’s stringent rules to be given out in the country The CS said that Pfizer, which requires minus 70 degrees in storage if acquired would not pose any challenge since the government would also acquire the special storage facilities to go with them.
The CS made the remarks when he answered questions from the media soon after he received a donation from MultiChoice Kenya Managing Director Nancy Matimu.
Kagwe said Kenya has only three sources where it acquires the vaccines. They include the government to government like the recent donation of 100,000 doses acquired from the government of India.