County receives Sh3.2m items to combat Covid-19

Governor Sospeter Ojaamong (second right) inspects some of the Personal Protective Equipment worth Sh3.2m donated to the county by Fred Hollows Foundation Kenya (FHFK) on May 12, 2020. [Ignatius Odanga, Standard]

The county government of Busia has received equipment worth Sh3.2million from an Australian organisation to help in combating coronavirus.

The county has so far recorded two cases of Covid-19. Governor Sospeter Ojaamong said the items will help immensely in curbing the spread of the virus.

After receiving the items from Fred Hollows Foundation Kenya (FHFK) on Tuesday, the county boss observed that some equipment will also be distributed to sub county hospitals and health centres for use.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Infra-red thermogun, Knapsack Sprayer, foldable stretchers, oxygen concentrators, digital blood pressure machines are among the donated items.

“The team will sit down and agree the best way to distribute the equipment to a number of health facilities in the county,” said Ojaamong.

He continued, “We are glad to see some well-wishers coming out to assist us in containing the infectious virus because we cannot independently fight the virus.”

Last week Ojaamong urged locals to observe general hygiene and follow the directives by the Ministry of Health and World Health Organisation (WHO) to keep the virus at bay.

The donation from FHFK came one day after another organisation, Ampath Plus donated disinfectant booth to the county.

The booth will be stationed at the County Referral Hospital to be used by those who will be seeking treatment at the facility.

Chief Officer for Health and Sanitation Isaac Omeri said, “The public who will be coming for treatment at the referral will have to be disinfected first before they can access the services they want.”

Meanwhile testing for employees working in eateries has been shelved due to lack of testing kits.

The county hopes the reagents and testing kits will be delivered by the Ministry of Health so that testing can start.

County Public Health Officer Joseph Oprong has insisted that all eateries must remain closed until approval is given by his department.

Testing is done at the referral hospital and Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kemri) in Alupe.