Airtel Kenya has made a contribution of Personal Protective Equipment valued at Kshs 30 million to the Ministry of Health to support health workers on the frontline in the battle against COVID-19. Frontline health workers’ safety
is paramount in management of the testing and treatment of the hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Due to their close proximity to the most severe cases, health workers face a higher risk of contracting the virus.
Airtel recognizes that without the provision of urgently needed protective equipment, more healthcare workers face the risk of falling ill, reducing the availability of care personnel for patients. The frontline staff work in stressful environments, not just because the virus is little understood, but because in most settings they are under-protected and themselves vulnerable to infection by the nature of their job.
(TOP: Michael Okwiri, Airtel Africa’s VPfor Corporate Affairs & CSR, presents a cheque of Kshs12.7 million to the Covid 19 Emergency Fund chairperson Jane Karuku. The contributions are in support of the Government’s initiatives to control the spread of COVID-19 in Kenya).
Prasanta Das Sarma, the Airtel Kenya MD said: “Today, we announce our support for Kenya’s COVID-19 response through a contribution of 30 million shillings, primarily focused on supporting our frontline health workers with Personal Protective Equipment. Now more than ever, we all need to apply our capabilities to support the needs of nurses, doctors, midwives and community health workers. At this moment of crisis, no country can cope with what they need alone. The private sector needs to continue to mobilize more resources, alongside National Governments, to fight the pandemic. We are also proud that all the equipment we are contributing today has been manufactured
in Kenya.”
Mutahi Kagwe, the CS for Health, said: “This is an important partnership with Airtel in Kenya, that demonstrates a real commitment to support our health workers, who are battling day after day to defeat this pandemic. As individuals, members of the public should strictly follow the key hygiene measures and social distancing, to help flatten the curve of the pandemic and reduce the pressure on the medical facilities and front line healthcare staff. We are proud to note that the PPE presented to us today is of high quality, and is approved by the Ministry of Health and
manufactured by one of the seven companies doing this in Kenya, using local labor and resources, thereby protecting the frontline health workers whilst creating jobs to cushion Kenyans against the slowdown in economic activities caused by the effects of COVID-19.”
Airtel has already taken several steps to help mitigate the impact of social distancing on its customers during the coronavirus outbreak through:
§ Availing the toll free line 719 which is run together with the Ministry of Health. Airtel subscribers can call in to get
prevention tips and information on COVID-19.
§ Kenya COVID-19 Fund Board: Airtel has provided the board secretariat with 10 postpaid lines and telephone handsets to facilitate 24 hour calling and data access for the staff.
§ Customer Communication: Airtel have been running a digital awareness campaign on our official social media platforms propagating information and prevention tips for COVID-19.
§ Airtel Money Charges: Following consultations with key government agencies, Airtel has removed all transaction fees making it possible to send and receive money for free on their Airtel Money platforms. Airtel has also revised thetransaction limits for mobile money transaction to support the SME and micro business enterprises.
§ Free access to Education Sites: Airtel has also responded positively to the government’s directive to suspend learning in all educational institutions all over the country by partnering with Longhorn Publishers to offer free internet access to students accessing the Longhorn e-learning Platform.
§ Self/Digital Access: Airtel has ensured that its customers are able to purchase and recharge our services online during this period. One may also access more information on Airtel Kenya services online or by dialing *544# and follow the menu.
§ Products- To make working and studying from home much easier, Airtel has discounted prices on some of their products such as the 4G smart box to ensure everyone can access internet from wherever they are.
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