• The bank has also been funding yearlong Covid 19 case management and mental health for health workers at a tune of Sh85 million.
• Director Sam Onyango said the bank has set aside Sh1.1 billion towards the provision of PPE for frontline health workers across the country.
Equity Bank has donated protective gear worth Sh737,000 to Siaya frontline health workers to reduce the risk of contracting Covid-19.
Bank director Sam Onyango and Siaya branch manager Michael Okanda said the Equity family recognises and appreciates the sacrifices made by the health workers to combat the virus.
They spoke as they presented the second consignment of personal protective equipment (PPE) to Siaya County Referral Hospital. Governor Cornel Rasanga was among those present.
Onyango said the bank has set aside Sh1.1 billion towards the provision of PPE for frontline health workers across the country. He said the first consignment benefitted 68 public hospitals and was valued at Sh260 million, but the second batch will benefit all public hospitals in the 47 counties.
They will also give PPE to all final-year medical and dental students in the 11 public universities in Kenya, including Maseno and Uzima.
The director said the drive is meant to ensure frontline workers do not worry about their lives as they seek to save others.
The Sh737,000 consignment included 150 goggles, 10,000 surgical masks, 750 disposable scraps, 450 coveralls, 1,000 headcovers, and 1,000 N95 masks.
Onyano said the bank has also been funding yearlong Covid-19 case management and mental health for health workers at a tune of Sh85 million. He urged all health workers to utilise the programme and remain vigilant while discharging their duties.
Governor Rasanga urged other commercial banks to emulate Equity in the fight against Covid-19, especially now that there is a surge in cases.
“Equity is just one of the banks doing business with the county but their input in the war on Covid-19 is commendable,” he said.
Rasanga said during the first wave, the county was not highly hit as it had only 85 cases but by Friday, Siaya had 382 total cases, indicating an increase in the second wave.
Rasanga said so far the county has lost nine people to the virus. Of late, it has been recording an average of 10 cases a day, a situation he said needs worthy partners like Equity to turn around.
Edited by F'Orieny