Amref to Strengthen COVID-19 Response through American Tower Foundation Grant
An Amref-trained laboratory worker testing specimens (Photo: Amref Health Africa)
August 26, 2020 – Amref Health Africa has received a grant from American Tower Foundation (ATF) to support COVID-19 response in Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda.
The grant amounts to US$250,000, with US$50,000 supporting interventions in Ethiopia, and US$100,000 in Kenya and Uganda each.
‘‘This pandemic has presented many challenges in the communities where we work, and your support enables us to take quick action to address the most urgent and important needs,’’ noted Dr. Githinji Gitahi, Group CEO, Amref Health Africa during the cheque handover ceremony at Amref headquarters.
Through the ATF funding, Amref plans to conduct a survey for COVID-19 antibodies in a selected population in Kenya as soon as an approved test is available in the country. While testing for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, continues to increase in Kenya, the numbers of asymptomatic infections and mild disease remain unknown. Studies of virus exposure would assist the authorities and the general public to better understand the extent of the COVID-19 outbreak in the country.
Learn more about what we’re doing to stop COVID-19 in Africa
Amref staff receive a check from Thomas Sonesson, CEO, American Tower Corporation (ATC) (Photo: Amref Health Africa/Kennedy Musyoka)
As the COVID-19 outbreak in Uganda continues to evolve rapidly, with major incidents occurring recently in border districts, Amref will expand its joint response interventions with the Ministry of Health especially in Arua District by training, equipping and deploying additional frontline Community Health Workers (CHWs), providing them with Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) and reaching tens of thousands of the most at-risk people with messages on COVID-19 infection prevention and control.
In Ethiopia, Amref will expand its COVID-19 CHW training to include modules on provision of basic Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (RMNCH) services that have been limited due to COVID-19. The project will provide CHWs with the necessary knowledge and skills to offer basic care and health education on topics like antenatal care for pregnant women, delivery and essential newborn care, and child immunization services, and to make referrals to health facilities that can provide more advanced care as needed. Amref will also work closely with the Ministry of Health to build the training curriculum for the LEAP platform, test the training materials, and roll-out the program to CHWs.
