Deputy Governor Dr Mathew Owili (left) receives a consignment of PPEs from UNFPA Country Representative Dr Ademola Olajide (2nd right) at the Kisumu County Hospital today. The consignment which consisted of Hand Sanitizers,Surgical gloves, gumboots, aprons, gowns, face masks and disposal bags will be used by the county’s healthcare staff in the fight against Covid-19. He was flanked by the County CEC Member for Health Prof. Boaz Otieno Nyunya (right), County Director for Public Health Frederick Oluoch (centre) and UNFPA Program Analyst Ms Lilian Langat (left) (Picture by Jacob Owiti)
By Jacklyn Apondi
The County department of health today received personal protective equipment’s donated by the UNFPA in partnership Kenya Red Cross and Ability Trust set to boost the fight against COVID-19 in Kisumu
The Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili received the donations on behalf of the county government issued by the UNFPA Country Representative Dr. Ademola Olajide in a ceremony held at the Kisumu County Referral Hospital (KCRH)
Dr. Owili was grateful for the donations and for the partnership that will guarantee support to the health workers in the fight against the pandemic. He called on residents not to down their tools on the fight against COVID- 19 pandemic adding that COVID- 19 cases are now rising at the county level with Kajiado Kitui county recording high numbers of COVID 19 patients.
The Deputy Governor noted that Kisumu County is not left behind as he made a special appeal to the residents to follow the Ministry of health guidelines to help curb the spread of the virus. He also assured quality care to the people of Kisumu County and especially people living with a disability.
The County UNFPA representative Dr. Ademola Olagide on his part applauded the efforts of the county government and the health department, pledging continuous support to the health workers in the fight against the pandemic.
The Kenya Red Cross regional representative Ms. Hellen Rotich also echoed the need to keep up with the Covid-19 protocols by the ministry of health to help curb the spread of the virus in the county.
In addition, the Kenya red cross is currently offering training of health care workers on issues of mental health as well as creating awareness on matters COVID at the community level, training people on home-based care program, proper use of masks, social distancing rules and screening in public facilities.
On his part, the CEC Member for health Dr. Boaz Otieno Nyunya acknowledged the challenges faced by the health team including low testing capacity, logistical constraints, contact tracing, and citizen’s negligence on the COVID- 19 rules, which could result in unprecedented effects.
The county department of health together with its partners has continued with awareness creation on recommended hygiene practices and measures aimed at minimizing the spread of COVID-19 in communities, including setting up hand washing facilities in various public spaces across the county.
