Stanbic Bank Kenya and partners donate 192 ventilators to the Kenyan Government to combat the Coronavirus Pandemic

Stanbic Bank Kenya and partners donate 192 ventilators to the Kenyan Government to combat the Coronavirus Pandemic

In response to the call from to the Ministry of Health and the wider Government of Kenya to mobilize resources to combat the Coronavirus pandemic, Stanbic Bank Kenya in partnership with Base Titanium, Centum, Gulf Power, Valar Frontier and africapractice, have committed to acquire and donate a total of one hundred and ninety-two (192) ventilators worth one hundred and thirty-four Million Kenya Shillings (Ksh134 Million). The acquisition of the EC certified oxygen ventilators is an initiative driven by the Stanbic Bank Foundation in partnership with their clients and private sector partners to tackle the pandemic that has affected Kenya and the entire world in various facets.

Healthcare systems all over the world are under pressure to fight the virus. This private sector response to delivering the critical lifesaving equipment will have a positive impact on the healthcare system in Kenya and assist in saving lives during this crisis. The investment will also remain a valuable tool beyond the immediate need and will be used long after the pandemic in improving the long-term capacity of our healthcare system.

Commenting on the acquisition of the ventilators, Stanbic Bank Kenya Chief Executive, Charles Mudiwa said, “When abled stakeholders come together, we can achieve a lot and help flatten the curve. The fight against the Coronavirus is a task that requires us to pull our resources together to ensure that Kenya can come out of this situation stronger and more resilient. At Stanbic Bank we believe that Kenya is our home and we must therefore always play our part in driving her growth.”

The ventilators play a vital role and are in high demand globally. This is due to their critical role in managing severe cases of patients who develop breathing complications – they offer the best chance for survival in those instances. In dire cases, the virus causes a buildup of fluid in the lungs, causing the body’s oxygen levels to drop and making it harder to breathe. To alleviate this, a ventilator is used to push air, with increased levels of oxygen, into the lungs.

The Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Health, Hon. Mutahi Kagwe conveyed the government’s appreciation for the generous donation towards helping Kenyans during this period noting that the contribution will go a long way in assisting the Government in its efforts to mitigate the pandemic across the county. The Ministry remains optimistic that collective efforts will enable the Government to contain the spread of the pandemic and mitigate its devastating effects on the country.

The business community has been greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic mainly due to the rigorous adherence to all social distancing measures, including limitations on gatherings and travel. Despite these challenges, the private sector remains a key source of support for the response to the pandemic.

The Ministry of Health has been at the forefront in steering the country through this turbulent and difficult period, ensuring that the public is well informed about the safety regulations that they must adhere to, in order to reduce the spread of the virus. The private sector players are also doing their part in ensuring the healthcare system in the country is equipped to manage the pandemic.

Stanbic Bank and its partners have commended the hard work that the Ministry of Health has done so far in ensuring that the public is well informed and that the right measures and precautions are being taken to ensure that we keep Kenya safe and overcome the pandemic.