Local industries upscaling production of personal protective equipment

The government has committed to support local producers of personal protective equipment to ensure they reach all parts of the country in the wake of the Coronavirus outbreak.

Speaking during a tour of various industries involved in manufacturing PPEs, Industrialization, Trade and Enterprise Development Cabinet Secretary Betty Maina said already last mile distribution channels have been put in place to help in boosting access.

The demand for face masks and PPE’s has seen sharply risen after the country enforced measures needed to reduce the risk of contracting coronavirus.

In the front line of the production, are single individual manufacturers and local industries with the same mandate and here at Uhuru Market, each producer has the capacity of manufacturing up to 300 pieces depending on the demand.

Speaking when she toured the industries based in Nairobi where most of the producers of face masks are stationed, Industrialisation CS Betty Maina said the government will continue to streamline supply chains to enable access of PPE’s to health care workers and public service providers like boda boda riders across the country.

However, a section of local small-scale manufacturers have also urged the government to devise incentives that will enable them upscale production.

Continuing on her tour, the CS also lauded local industries that have taken up the challenge to produce other medical equipment locally such as in the production of compatible special medical beds.