POWERING NEW PARTNERSHIPS TO FIGHT THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS

By Sylvia Wamuhu, Director Health Systems — PS Kenya

Representatives from Rotary International District 9212 led by District COVID-19 Response team Dr. Joe Kamau, President of Rotary Alfajiri kilimani Club president — Mwikali Kivuvani during the handing over of the PPE’s.

The role of the private health sector cannot be underestimated at a time when the world is wrestling with a deadly pandemic. When ‘Wanjiku’ falls sick, her most likely first stop is the nearest small health facility located near her household. With no preparedness nor availability of quality Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) at the health facilities, the situation can be dire. On the 27th of May 2020, Rotary District 9212, joined hands with Population Services Kenya (PS Kenya) where it donated critical PPEs for the Tunza Family Network — a franchise of over 400 private health facilities that is managed by PS Kenya.

Tunza Providers from Bodaki Medical Centre — Boniface Kinyua and Glory Health Clinic — Isaac Muruka and PS Kenya’s Chief Operating Officer Dr Anne Musuva during the event.

This premier event will see 4 private health facilities located in the COVID-19 hotspot areas in the Coastal region receive PPEs that would serve them for a month. The facilities which are located in Likoni, Mvita, Bamburi, and Kilifi will receive several PPEs including hand washing stations, sanitizers, surgical masks, latex gloves, coveralls, gumboots and protective goggles.

The Impact! With Mombasa being one of the epicenters of Coronavirus and new infections being registered from the county every day, this donation is timelier than ever. The main beneficiaries of this great initiative will be the Health Care workers in these small health facilities and the community members living around there.

“When I heard about COVID-19, I contemplated about closing my facility. But then I remembered my call to duty and how much the communities needed me at this time. I decided to continue serving my community despite the risks that come with it. When patients walk in, you can’t tell whether they have COVID until you attend to them. Without proper PPEs the chances of getting infected are very high. Thanks to Rotary Disrict 9212 for Caring!” Boniface Kinyua, Bodaki Medical Center

Sylvia Wamuhu, Director Health Systems at PS Kenya together with the Tunza providers receiving the PPE’s from the Rotary International District 9212 Representatives.

The Community members: With or without COVID, primary health care continues to be a real need across the communities. There is however a fear that health facilities are risky places at the moment, thereby increasing the chances of people staying at home feeling unwell. This would easily lead to deaths that would have been prevented if the patient had accessed treatment. With high quality PPE made available in these facilities, Wanjiku’s concerns about getting the virus from the facility will be adequately addressed.

Multisectoral participation to fight COVID-19: This is yet another demonstration of how different sectors come together to fight global challenges!.