By Okong’o Oduya
The County government of Busia has received a donation of medical equipment worth KSH 3.2 M from Australian Aid, through the Fred Hollows Foundation to help in fight against the new coronavirus.
Addressing the Media in Busia while receiving the goods, Busia County Governor Sospeter Ojaamong said the equipment comprises of personal protective equipment kits, boots, tents for screening, oxygen concentrators, and thermo guns among other equipment.
Ojaamong said this was the biggest consignment in terms of contribution to the county towards the war against covid-19.
“Since we started requesting for assistance from our donors, friends and partners, this is the largest consignment we have received,” he noted.
He noted that the partnership with Fred Hollows foundation has been in existence for the last 6 years adding they will not resist any help from the foundation and the Australian people.
According to Ojaamong part of the equipment will be supplied to sub county hospitals to help in screening patients to ease the load in the isolation centers.
“We are going to have a county meeting to decide which items we are going to distribute and where, but most of the items will be taken to Alupe isolation and treatment center, that is where our patients will be,” Ojaamong said.
Fred Hollows foundation has supported 13 counties in the country with the same consignment in fight against covid-19.
Stephene Egesa a representative from Fred Hollows Foundation in Kenya said the equipment will help equipping isolation and other treatment centers in the county in fight against the pandemic.
“Fred hollows foundation is an Australian organization that focuses on eye health, and Busia being one of the counties that we work in, there are other counties that we have supported equally about 13 or therefore with the same consignment, we have decided to help Busia county and its people to combat this pandemic to equip the isolation and treatment centers in the county,” he said.
Dr. David Mukabi, the medical director and the officer in charge in war against corona pandemic in Busia County, faulted Nairobi county police commander for allowing excess people to flock in the county for funeral arrangements against the government order of 5 people from Nairobi.
According to him, Nairobi being the epicenter of the disease, it is unfair for police officer manning the roadblock in Nairobi to allow those with letters from area chiefs authorizing them to pass is endangering lives of those in other counties, especially Busia County.
“I wish to urge police commander in Nairobi to restrict those leaving Nairobi to attend funerals in Busia.
The report we received initially said police commander in Nairobi was the only authorized person to give the letter to those who wish to leave Nairobi for funeral down here, seeing people in large numbers with letters from chiefs and their assistants from Nairobi to Busia becomes a challenge to us in fighting this disease.
Let those being allowed to come over from Nairobi be vetted properly to minimize the number of those who wish to travel to Busia for funeral to avoid crowding and those from Nairobi mingling with our people.” He explained.
