Red Cross boosts Kwale County Covid-19 response efforts - KBC

The Kwale County Government has received a major boost from the Red Cross Society of Kenya in its efforts to respond to the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

Area Governor Salim Mvurya said through the humanitarian agency his administration was recently able to secure support worth Ksh 70 million from the European Union (EU).

Mvurya said the money has been able to adequately equip health centres and facilitated the deployment of healthcare workers across the county.

The Governor affirmed his administration’s commitment to work closely with development partners and other stakeholders in efforts to curb the spread of the covid-19 pandemic.

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Speaking on Tuesday in his office after meeting Kenya Red Cross officials who paid him a courtesy call, Mvurya said that his regional government has clear plans on managing all reported cases in the county.

He stated that the county government had already set up a covid-19 treatment unit at the Msambweni Country Referral Hospital with a bed capacity of 60, and has also invested in preventive sensitisation and employment of more health workers to heighten the efforts of curbing the spread of the virus.

The governor also assured that his government is clear on what to do on border issues to stop cross-border spread of the coronavirus cases.

His assurance comes at a time when Kenya Red Cross is partnering with the Kwale County Government through the Health Department on a Sh 70 million program aimed at helping fight the Covid-19 pandemic.

The governor announced that the partnership programme will focus on four key areas of capacity enhancement on response teams, equipping referral hospitals, strength and requirement mechanisms and deployment of teams in health facilities

Governor Mvurya together with his Deputy Fatuma Achani also received a donation of personal protective equipment (PPEs) from the Kenya Red Cross and United Nations Population Fund.

Mvurya thanked all partners who have supported the county government and urged more partners and stakeholders to come out and support the efforts in fighting the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Kenya Red Cross Society Officials who paid courtesy call to the governor are Head of Disaster Management Elijah Muli, Programmes Manager Shadrack Kalaso, Coast Regional Manager Hassan Musa, and Kwale County Coordinator Mohammed Said Mwaenzi.

County officials who were also present are CEC members Francis Gwama (Health Services), Ramadhani Masudi Bungale (Social Services), County Secretary Martin Mwaro among others.

Kinondo and Vanga Ward MCAs Hamisi Pweza and Yussuf Mbwana also joined the Governor and Deputy Governor in receiving the PPEs donation.