First Lady Margaret Kenyatta has shed light on an inspirational project she has been working on while keeping a low public profile since the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Margaret revealed that her Beyond Zero Campaign had financed the training of 5,154 health workers who will help in the fight against Covid-19.
“In recognition of the pivotal role community health volunteers play in fighting the pandemic and to complement Government’s response to protect health workers against Covid-19, Beyond Zero financed the training of 5154 community health volunteers,” she revealed.
President Uhuru Kenyatta's wife was speaking during the virtual Ordinary General Assembly of the Organization of First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) that was held on Friday, February 19.
Member states during the meeting gave an account of the measures they had put in place to assist marginalized groups during the Covid-19 period.
She added that the Beyond Zero Campaign would continue to support socio-economic initiatives by putting more focus on initiatives benefitting the elderly, vulnerable members of the society and orphans.
“Beyond Zero’s Strategic Framework 2018 to 2022 focuses on among others interventions, improving access to comprehensive health care and social protection for targeted vulnerable groups,” she said.
She went on to say that the initiative had cushioned 20000 vulnerable households with food and medicine.
“The welfare of mothers, children and the elderly remain a priority to our work, and in 2020 we supported 20,000 vulnerable households by providing medical and food supplies,” she added.
The first Lady added that this year her organization would partner with stakeholders to offer screening for cervical and prostate cancer. Through the Beyond Zero Medical Safaris, the organization will also sensitize communities on preventive healthcare access including mother to child HIV transmission.
“We shall also enhance efforts to fast-track Kenya’s commitment to reduce the cases of mother to child transmission of HIV and syphilis to 50 per 100000 live births, “she said.
The theme of the meeting was ‘Showing resilience in the face of Covid-19 by building on past gains and learning from the challenges of the present’.
