A HUGE BOOST TO COMBAT THE SPREAD OF CORONAVIRUS IN KENYA FROM EQUITY GROUP AND MASTERCARD FOUNDATIONS

 Equity Group and Mastercard Foundations have joined hands in supporting the frontline medical staff dealing with Covid-19 patients in Kenya’s public with a donation of   Ksh1.1 billion. The kitty will be used in the provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) to the said staff. To that end, Equity Bank Foundation ((EGF) has supported the noble course with Kshs. 300 million, while   Mastercard Foundation has done so with Kshs. 500 million as part of its Covid-19 Recovery and Resilience programme.  Significantly, the funding also includes a donation of Kshs. 300million from the family of Dr. James Mwangi, the founding Chairman of EGF as well as the  Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Equity Group Holdings Plc.

EGF will work in partnership with the Ministry of Health and the Covid-19 Emergency Response Fund in this endeavour. This will ensure a coordinated effort on the national priorities of combating the pandemic. It will also reap the benefits of economies of scale, maximise resource allocation and avoid duplication of efforts in the provision of PPE.

Speaking while announcing the initiative, Dr. Mwangi said:  “It started when my attention was drawn to a group of students and doctors who were raising funds for PPE for young post graduate students especially in Kenyatta National and Referral Hospital (KNH).” He added:  “When I shared the need with my family, a robust discussion revealed the urgency to holistically address the issue as it was not prudent to provide the PPE to students without also focusing on the plight of the doctors, nurses, clinical officers, and medical staff.”

Dr. Mwangi is a member of Kenya’s Covid-19 Emergency Fund board. He thanked all the medical professionals who formed a steering committee to organize, coordinate and actualize this initiative led by Professor Isaac Macharia, an eye, nose and throat (ENT) specialist. The committee will coordinate the implementation of the initiative to ensure availability of PPE across the country. It will also help in scaling up a mental wellness support system for medical staff initiated by the Kenya Medical Association (KMA).  

 The President and CEO of the Mastercard Foundation, Reeta Roy observed that the partnership meets the immediate needs precipitated by Covid-19. These needs are being prioritized through the Mastercard Foundation Covid-19 Recovery and Resilience Programme.  Dr. Mwangi further said that EGH will continue engaging more partners in order to arrest the spread of Covid-19 pandemic by acquiring more diagnostic kits.  

EGH was established in 2008 as the social engine of Equity Group. It delivers economic opportunities, capacity, tools and technologies that enable  individuals and businesses to increase productivity, resilience and  share in socio-economic growth.