U.S Donates 200 Ventilators, KSh 759 M To Kenya For Covid-19

By Getrude Matayo

The United States Government, through the U.S Agency for International Development (USAID), has donated 200 brand-new, state-of-the-art ventilators to Kenya to assist its fight against Covid-19.

The donation delivers on President Trump’s generous offer of these critically needed supplies and supports Kenya’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The ambassador said USAID will deliver the ventilators directly to the facilities selected by the Kenyan government and ensure that they are recorded in the inventory books of the counties receiving them.

This ventilator support is in addition to the Sh6 billion already committed to supporting Kenya’s Covid-19 response through equipment, testing, training, and research, as well as supporting health, water and sanitation, education, employment, and food security needs.

“USAID continues to work closely with Kenya to curb the spread of Covid-19, maintain essential public health services and help Kenyans cope with the secondary impacts of this pandemic,” Said USAID Mission Director Mark Meassick.

The ventilators, produced in the United States, reflect leading-edge and in-demand technology. They are compact, deployable, and provide Kenya with flexibility in treating patients affected by the virus as well as those who require breathing support for other conditions.

The US government also donated Sh759 million the Mara landscape, Northern, and Coastal Kenya to support local communities to recover from the loss of tourism and livelihoods due to adverse impacts of Covid-19.

Local Works will engage local leaders and community members to design solutions that will attract and increase private sector investment, support the economic empowerment of local communities, especially for women and youth, and enhance the capacity of community conservancies to access funding necessary for them to thrive and establish stable livelihoods.

“Over 50 years of support form the United States for health providers and health systems has provided the foundation for Kenya’s ability to trace, test, and treat patients to combat Covid-19. These ventilators are another example of American expertise and generosity in the global battle against Covid-19” Said U.S Ambassador to Kenya Kyle McCarter

“Tourism is critical to a strong Kenyan economy and the United States is committed to helping Kenya’s magnificent tourist areas remain strong as tourists start to return,” said Ambassador McCarter.

READ: Kenya To Lose Millions Over Unsold COVID-19 Medical Supplies