Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi (AKUH,N) has donated five ventilators to Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) and Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral & Research Hospital (KUTRRH) to boost their COVID-19 response. KNH received three ventilators while KUTRRH will get two ventilators. AKUH,N also handed over 7,000 COVID-19 testing and extraction kits to the Ministry of Health.
The donation is valued at over KES 25 million. It is part of the European Union-funded project “Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) Regional Eastern Africa COVID-19 Response Partnership” that aims at improving systemic, gender-sensitive responses to overcome health, economic and social vulnerabilities caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in Eastern Africa.
Henriette Geiger, the European Union Ambassador to Kenya said: “This donation is part of our larger regional programme, and aims to complement the Kenyan government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, by increasing the testing, surveillance, and treatment capacities. Working together with our Member States as Team Europe, the EU is committed to global response and solidarity across borders because no one is safe until we are all safe.”
Speaking at the handover ceremony, AKUH, N CEO Rashid Khalani noted that the donation was carefully considered given the need that has been previously expressed by the Ministry of Health.
“As a healthcare provider, AKUH, N fully appreciates the importance of well-equipped critical care units in providing the care needed by COVID-19 patients. We are glad that we can play our part in supporting the government to provide this care,” noted Mr. Khalani.
While receiving the donation, KNH CEO, Dr. Evanson Kamuri, said: “This gesture you have extended to our patients is a demonstration of your trust and confidence in our mandate.”
“We feel very encouraged whenever people come around bearing gifts as it complements our limited resources. On behalf of our patients I say a big thank you for your generosity,” he added.
Mr. Khalani reiterated the hospital’s commitment to supporting the national response to the pandemic. AKUH, N has previously donated COVID-19 testing kits worth over KES 40 million and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to the government as well as masks and sanitizers to vendors at the City Park market, Nairobi.
Experts from the hospital have also played a major role in different COVID-19 government committees to develop policies and public education guidelines for COVID-19.