Covid-19 Fight: Equity Bank CEO James Mwangi Donates Sh300 Million

Equity Bank CEO Dr. James Mwangi has donated Sh300 million towards Kenya’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mwangi said the amount will be used to acquire Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for frontline workers dealing with Covid-19 patients in public hospitals.

Speaking on Wednesday, April 29th, Mwangi noted that his attention was drawn to a group of students and medics who were raising funds to buy PPEs for postgraduate students attached to Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH)

“When I shared the need with my family, a robust discussion revealed the urgency to holistically address the issue as it was not prudent to provide the PPEs to students without also focusing on the plight of the doctors, nurses, clinical officers, and medical staff,” said Mwangi.

His donation is part of Sh1.1 billion the Equity Group Foundation, with the support of MasterCard, has committed towards the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. MasterCard will provide Sh500 million while Equity Foundation will contribute Sh300 million.

“We recognize that none of us can be safe as long as one of us is unsafe. We will endeavor to continue with our engagement and mobilization of our partners to extend our partnership towards the procurement of diagnostic kits. We believe that there is a chance for every Kenyan to get the support they require to overcome the COVID-19 infection,” added Mwangi.

Dr. Mwangi, a member of Kenya’s Covid-19 Emergency Fund Board, said a seven-member committee comprising medical professionals has been constituted to organize the task of coordinating and actualizing the initiative.

The team has been tasked to ensure public hospitals across the country are supplied with PPEs and provide a mental wellness support system for medical staff.

“We can overcome this global pandemic as a nation only in partnership with our Government, and by committing to our social contract where the Government and the Ministry of Health design the best medical policies and protocols, and we as citizens adhere to them faithfully. As a people, let us hold each other to account,” noted Mwangi.