Nyeri, Nakuru, Busia, Isiolo counties receive 32 ventilators from USAID

The war against COVID-19 in Nyeri, Nakuru, Busia and Isiolo got a boost after the counties received a total of 32 portable ventilators from the American government.

Also Read: Ventilators explained: Their importance in the fight against coronavirus

Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga said the donations are a giant leap forward in ensuring that those in need ventilators can access them.

“The ventilators will increase the county’s capacity to handle severe Covid-19 cases,” he said on Thursday.

Before the donation, Nyeri had a total of 17 ventilators in both public and private hospitals.

The governor said that the county has lost 43 patients to coronavirus so far and the extra ventilators can help save lives.

USAID-Kenya Country Coordinator Peter Waithaka said the ventilators are part of the 200 that the U.S. has donated to different parts of the country.

Besides the donation of equipment, Waithaka said they have also trained users and provided consumables for oxygen administration.

He added that the portable machines can be used outside the ICU and come with a one year warranty.

The county government is said to piping oxygen at Karitina and Mt. Kenya Level 4 hospitals for 200 beds while working to install oxygen plants at the facilities.

In Nakuru, USAID also donated 10 new ventilators with other materials, including consumables, roller cart stands, and additional items for optimal functioning such as power supply units.

“The U.S. Govt is pleased to donate 10 brand-new ventilators to Nakuru County Government’s Level V Hospital. The ventilators will complement Nakuru’s ongoing efforts to manage COVID-19 patients & others who may require mechanical ventilation,” USAID said on Twitter.

Busia County Referral Hospital also got four new ventilators to boost its COVID-19 response efforts.

The U.S. Government donated the ventilators, oxygen administration consumables, roller cart stands and UPS units which were received by Deputy Governor Moses Mulomi.

“After having to cope with Home based care since the pandemic spiked, we now have state-of-the-art equipment thanks to USAID and partners. This will uplift our critical care department Busia Referral Hospital,” said Mulomi.

USAID delivered another four ventilators and consumables to Isiolo County Teaching and Referral Hospital (ICTRH) on Thursday following an official request by Governor Mohammed Abdi Kuti.

The Isiolo county boss said they are an important addition to the already existing seven and will be of great use for critical care patients at ICTRH.