Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) has donated three mobile vaccination clinics, four medical fridges and six transport freezers valued at KES 64 million to the Government of Kenya to support the implementation of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) program.
The medical equipment was received by First Lady H.E Rachael Ruto on behalf of the counties. Samburu, Marsabit and Baringo counties each received a mobile clinic, while Turkana, Mandera, Isiolo and West Pokot received the fridges and freezers.
The donation financed by the German government through a grant offered by the German Development Bank (KFW), will in the short term facilitate the completion of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign.
While receiving the donation at State House, H.E Mama Racheal Ruto, First Lady of the Republic of Kenya said:
“These critical medical resources will bridge the healthcare gap in the seven counties. They will ensure that vaccines and medicines remain effective, especially in the challenging climates in these regions.”
AKUH Chief Executive Officer Rashid Khalani who handed over the donation noted that the implementation of UHC will change the way Kenyans access healthcare services by ensuring that the care they need is availed to them timely and nearer to where they live.
“I assure you of our commitment to support this agenda both in aligning the delivery of our services and by extending a helping hand to the public healthcare system,”
he said.”
“The mobile clinics will significantly increase the reach and accessibility of healthcare services, bringing them closer to the doorstep of Kenyans. They will facilitate regular health screening through which we can identify diseases early, for early intervention which improves the quality of life for Kenyans. The government will also have the capacity to extend the reach of immunization to the underserved far-flung areas.”
Mr. Oskar von Maltzan, Country Director, KfW Development Bank, noted:
“The clinics and medical fridges will greatly enhance operational access to remote areas. They will also contribute to completing the COVID-19 vaccination campaign in the short term; to further the delivery of MoH’s Expanded Program of Immunization (EPIs), and to strengthen routine immunization programs and response capacities to avert future outbreaks and/or pandemics.”
AKUH and KfW have supported the COVID-19 national response to the pandemic across Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania through donation of equipment, and supplies as well as supported the government-sponsored Covid-19 vaccination since 2020.
