The Catholic Medical Mission Board (CMMB) has announced a $250,000 contribution from the MastercardFoundationCOVID-19 Recovery and Resilience Programme to help fight the spread of COVID-19 by strengthening the capacity of health facilities in Kenya, Zambia, and South Sudan.
“Fragile healthcare systems and pre-existing health conditions in these countries make for an extremely dangerous combination. An urgent and immediate effort is required. This support is critical in helping us provide precautionary measures and medical supplies in these highly vulnerable areas,” said Bruce Wilkinson, president and CEO, CMMB. “It will help save lives.”
The CMMB emergency effort focuses on properly equipping health facilities to treat COVID-19, provide prevention and precautionary measures in the communities, and access clean water and sanitation, enabling proper hygiene.
“We are so thankful to Mastercard Foundation for their support. We share a common goal in helping the poor and most marginalized people,” said Wilkinson. “Every human life is valued, and health and human dignity are shared by all.”
To strengthen the capacity of health workers, 30 health facilities (10 per country) will be stocked with personal protection items including masks, gloves, face shields, and goggles.
In addition, the CMMB will also donate lifesaving supplies and equipment including ventilators and oxygen.
Reeta Roy, president and CEO, Mastercard Foundation, said:”There is no blueprint for navigating this crisis. However, the actions we take now will shape the post-COVID-19 world. This crisis is teaching us how interdependent we are as well as how powerful collective action can be.”
