Equity : Mastercard Foundation Commits USD $5 Million to Protect Kenyan Health Care Workers Amid COVID-19

Mastercard Foundation will contribute USD $5 million to the purchase of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Kenya's Frontline Medical Staff as part of the Mastercard Foundation COVID-19 Recovery and Resilience Program.

The commitment will be directed through the Equity Group Foundation, which has also received support from Equity Bank (Kenya) Ltd., along with a contribution from the family of   the Foundation's Founding Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer of Equity Group Holdings Plc, Dr. James Mwangi. Equity Bank and Dr. Mwangi's family contributed USD $3 million each, bringing the total commitment for the initiative to USD $11 million (Ksh 1.1 billion). Equity Group Foundation will coordinate the purchase of PPE equipment locally through collaboration with Kenya's Ministry of Health.

"Health care workers are at the frontlines of caring for all of us, safeguarding community health. We must keep them safe. We are grateful that this partnership meets the immediate needs precipitated by COVID-19, which the Foundation is prioritizing through our Mastercard Foundation COVID-19 Recovery and Resilience Program," said Reeta Roy, President and CEO of Mastercard Foundation.

While the bulk of the funding will be dedicated to the purchase of personal   protective gear, a portion of the commitment will be directed to developing and scaling a mental wellness support system for medical staff, which will be spearheaded by the Kenya Medical Association.

"As we execute this initiative, my trust and gratitude go to our medical staff who risk everything to serve an oath of their profession," said Dr. James Mwangi. "The Board of Equity recognizes the vital role of health care workers on the frontline and is proud to partner with universities and public hospitals in ensuring the safety of our health care workers," added Equity Bank (Kenya) Ltd. Chairman Professor Isaac Macharia.

Equity Group Foundation anticipates that the commitment from the Mastercard Foundation will enable the provision of personal protective equipment nationally to medical personnel across the country.

About Mastercard Foundation

Mastercard Foundation seeks a world where everyone has the opportunity to learn and prosper. Through its Young Africa Works strategy, Canadian EleV program, and the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, the Foundation works with partners to ensure that millions of young people, especially young women, access quality education, financial services, and dignified work. Mastercard Foundation was established in 2006 through the generosity of Mastercard when it became a public company. The Foundation is independent with its own Board of Directors and CEO.

For more information and to sign up for the Foundation's newsletter, please visit http://www.mastercardfdn.org/ . Follow the Foundation on Twitter at @MastercardFdn .

About Equity Group Foundation

Equity Group Foundation's (EGF) mission is to champion the transformation of lives and livelihoods for 100m people in Africa by 2024 through the design and implementation of innovative programs that leverage Equity Group's infrastructure and partnerships to create shared value. Established in 2008 as the Group's social engine, the Foundation delivers economic opportunities, capacity, tools and technologies that enable individuals and businesses to increase productivity, resilience and share in socio-economic growth. EGF responds to the continuum of issues that challenge the socio-economic advancement of the people of Africa, especially low-income individuals and families. EGF's Creating Shared Value [CSV] strategy provides social development initiatives in Education and Leadership Development, Food and Agriculture, Health, Financial Inclusion and Entrepreneurship Development, Energy and Environment and Social Protections for the most vulnerable citizens. Our programs are underpinned by technology, innovation and synergy as a central means to launch, nurture, and scale up Africa's next generation of successful leaders and entrepreneurs delivered to all communities in which Equity has operations.

For more information, please contact

Mastercard Foundation
Helen White
Strategy Lead, Program Communications
E: [e-mail]
Mobile: [phone]

Equity Group Holdings Plc.
Alex Muhia
T: Office 0763 026007 | Mobile: [phone]
E: [e-mail]
E: [e-mail]

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