COVID-19 → AMREF HEALTH AFRICA
Integrating SDGs to the COVID19 pandemic response
STORY
AMREF Health Africa in Kenya is complementing the Government’s and Ministry of Health in Kenya efforts towards controlling the COVID 19 pandemic. AMREF is leveraging the innovative mobile technology, LEAP to train community health workers to identify, isolate and refer suspected cases as well as maintain safety standards at points of entry or high-risk areas to prevent possible transmission.
In addition, their partnership with Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL) and Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) has overseen the distribution of 135,000 litres of sanitizer to vulnerable populations and those at high risk of contracting COVID-19 specifically to the informal settlements of Kibera, Mukuru, Mathare, Kawangware in Nairobi and Kondele and Obunga in Kisumu.
AMREF Kenya has partnered with local supermarket Tusker Mattresses Group to leverage mutual capacities to provide on-ground health education and awareness support at Tuskys Supermarkets and Mavazi Lifestyle clothing locations for the retailer’s staff and customers. This will be delivered through community health volunteers (CHVs) stationed at Tuskys branches countrywide to sensitise and educate staff and clients about the virus and the relevant prevention measures.
On 9 April 2020, leading eCommerce platform Jumia donated 100,000 masks to the Ministry of Health to support community health workers, who are on the front line responding to suspected and confirmed cases of COVID 19. The donations were received by AMREF Health Africa in Kenya and KRCS, which serve under the National Response Committee.
AMREF Kenya is also providing technical assistance to several other working groups including resource mobilization, health promotion, WASH, contact tracing, human resources for health and risk communication.
Through the Kenya Healthcare Federation (KHF) where AMREF Kenya is a member and represented at senior level, the private sector is being engaged to complement government action on the COVID-19 response. This is being done by strengthening the health system starting with an assessment of the capacity of private facilities to effectively identify, isolate, manage, and refer COVID 19 suspected and/or confirmed cases. To read more on how AMREF in Kenya is responding to COVID 19, please click on the link below.