UNDP to deploy 50 volunteer health experts to counties worst hit by Covid-19 – Nairobi News

The United Nations is set to deploy 50 volunteer health experts to 14 counties which have been worst hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The programme, under the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), will see the volunteer experts stay at the counties for a period of six months to help both the county governments and the national government to effectively respond to the pandemic.

TARGET COUNTIES

The target counties include Busia, Garissa, Kajiado, Kakamega, Kiambu, Kilifi, Kisumu, Machakos, Mandera, Migori, Nairobi, Taita Taveta, Uasin Gishu and Wajir.

UNDP Resident Representative in Kenya Mr Walid Badawi said the programme is part of a Covid-19 response support initiative for counties spearheaded by the UNDP in partnership with its Donors.

“Part of the support is directed towards the deployment of 50 United Nations volunteer (UNV) health experts to target counties for a period of six months,” said Mr Badawi in a letter addressed to the chair, Council of Governors, Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya.

He pointed out that the recruitment of the health experts is being undertaken in close collaboration with the respective County Public Service Boards of the 14 target counties.

VULNERABLE

He said the counties were initially identified by the Ministry of Health as most vulnerable to the pandemic.

Covid-19 cases in Kenya has already surpassed the 6,000 mark with more than 100 reported deaths.

Nairobi and Mombasa Counties account for close to two-thirds of the positive cases countrywide with Nairobi alone having close to 3,200 cases.

The flagging-off ceremony of the volunteers is scheduled for July 1, 2020 in Kajiado County where Nairobi County Governor Mike Sonko will be one of the chief guests.