Nairobi (SONNA)-United States Africa Command donated a 40-bed, negative air pressure mobile field hospital (MFH) to the Kenya Border Police, demonstrating its longstanding commitment to Kenya and continued support for partner nations in the fight against COVID-19.
“Kenya is a key partner and we are honored to be able to support the Kenya Border Police in the fight against COVID in East Africa and on the continent,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. John Wood, director of Strategy, Engagement and Programs Directorate with U.S. Africa Command. “This donation will help address the COVID pandemic in the near-term but will continue to benefit the region post-COVID for years to come. This act is one of several ways U.S. Africa Command and our Kenyan partners are working together to enhance regional long-term stability.”
AFRICOM and the US embassy in Nairobi collaborated to make the donation, which facilitated a partnership with the Kenya Border Police Unit for COVID response “The United States cares about the health and well-being of Kenyans. The donation of this hospital is another example of our desire to not only give financial resources but to help Kenyans become self-reliant and move from being a recipient of aid to becoming a donor country,” said Kyle McCarter, U.S. Ambassador to Kenya. “We look forward to working with the BPU to deploy this hospital in remote areas to provide needed medical care for Kenyans for many years to come. The BPU team that constructed the hospital earned great praise from the U.S. mentors here, and we know the BPU will use this facility to improve the lives of Kenyans across the country.”
The donation highlights the value of the State Partnership Program, showcasing the Massachusetts National Guardsman involvement in establishing field hospital. In addition to providing the control officer for the project, the Massachusetts National Guardsman will also assist in providing medical expertise post-COVID response when the Mobile Field Hospital is deployed to other areas.
“This is a true example of what public and private partnership can accomplish between two countries in a time of crisis” said Lt. Col. Matthew E. Kopp, chief, Office of Security Cooperation. “This team effort included critical contributions from US Embassy Nairobi, the Massachusetts National Guard, AFRICOM, the Kenya Defence Force, Aga Khan Hospital, and the Kenyan Border Police Unit. The mobile field hospital helps Kenya meet an urgent need now while providing a critical asset for future crises.”
The kenyan border Police will initially stage the MFH at the Aga Khan University Hospital to take advantage of their medical expertise to provide direct COVID relief.
After the pandemic, the Border Police Unit will move the MFH to their location for maintenance and training for future deployments to border communities that have limited healthcare. Medical professionals from the Border Police Unit, AFRICOM, the Massachusetts National Guard, and Kenya Defence Forces will staff the MFH and provide medical care to these areas.
