The government has started manufacturing protective masks and Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) for prevention against Corona Virus disease.

Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Trade and Industry Betty Maina disclosed that the Kenyan textile industry has risen up to the task and is currently able to produce as many masks as required including PPEs.

The samples have already been presented to the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) for testing and confirmation of compliance with Kenyans standards, the CS said today during the daily briefing on the status of Coronavirus at Afya House.

She disclosed that the material which is in stock among the manufacturers is sufficient to make 60 million masks with immediate effect.

“We have instructed them to get in touch with their distribution chain and make this available to even tailors and other people in the villages so that we can expand our capacity as quickly as possible,” she said.

She noted that four fabric manufacturers have confirmed capacity and will be distributing them in the next couple of days. “I can ascertain that by today we have at least one million masks available and already in the distribution channel. We don’t expect any of the masks to sell for more than Ksh20, the CS noted.

The disposable PPE gear to be worn by doctors, have also been certified by the Ministry of Health and KEBs after meeting the appropriate and necessary parameters and shall also be cheaper in price compared to the imported ones, she added.

The Government is also in an advanced stage to assembly and make ventilators in Kenya. Through the supply chain, manufacturing will not only be helpful for the textile industry but will also help in enhancing the nation’s sense of dignity, the CS said.

Source: http://www.health.go.ke/government-starts-manufacturing-mask-and-ppe-to-prevent-coronavirus-nairobi-friday-april-3-2020/