March 19, 2024

New COVID-19 Testing Laboratory in the Offing for Truck Drivers in Mombasa County

Health Chief Administartive Secretary Rashid Aman at a past function. Image: (Courtesy)

By DAMA KALAMA 

Email: thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com

To fast-track the testing of truck drivers and easy movement of cargo, the Ministry of Health is setting up a new laboratory for COVID 19 at the Coast Teaching and Referral Hospital in Mombasa County.
This facility is expected to be unveiled next week according to the health chief administrative secretary (CAS) Rashid Aman who also announced that results will be relayed digitally to aid cargo evacuation from the port.
Speaking on August 20, 2020 when receiving European Union’s Sh100 million worth of personal protective equipment at the Kenya Ports Authority, Dr Aman said the donation would go a long way to ensure protection of frontline workers there. 

He praised the EU for its continued support to Kenya’s fight against COVID 19 saying the protection of port workers and border points was crucial to ensure trade continuity.
So far, the EU has spent Sh40 billion to support Kenya’s efforts to combat the contagion through several initiatives including medical equipment and training for health care workers.
KPA acting Managing Director Rashid Salim said the donation made by the EU was timely and crucial in ensuring the Port of Mombasa continues to offer world class services and operations that largely contribute to the regional economy. 

SPORTS GUIDELINES
Meanwhile, football stakeholders have welcomed the new guidelines on the resumption of sports activities unveiled by sports cabinet secretary Amina Mohamed. 

Led by interim Mombasa County Football Association (MCFA) chairman Goshi Alliy, the stakeholders said they were ready to comply with the ministry’s guidelines. 

Interim Mombasa County Football Association (MCFA) chairman Goshi Alliy. Image: (Courtesy)

“As an organization, we will make a courtesy call to the County Chief Sports Officer to discuss the implementation of the laid down guidelines,” the organisation says in a statement. 

On Monday (August 24), the sports CS unveiled guidelines for the protocols that will be used to ease the return of sports following stoppages caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

According to Alliy the resumption of sports activities will better the youths and society at large because sports are vital for cohesion and fighting all vices in the communities. 

They want Governor Hassan Joho through his Department of Youth, Gender and Sports to be on the forefront to give social and financial support to sports activities.
Some of the annual events that are likely to happen this year include the annual Safaricom Madoka Marathon usually held in October, and the Mombasa Tong-Il-Moodo international martial arts competition that happens in December.
Stakeholders have been given seven days to go through the document and give their opinions before a definite date is set for the return of contact and non-contact sporting activities in the country.
Kenya is preparing for several sporting events such as hosting the World Athletics Continental Gold Tour in October while national football team Harambee Stars is scheduled to face Comoros in home and away Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in November.
The national basketball team is also set to start preparations for the Afrobasket Championship qualifiers which have been scheduled by NBA Africa for November. 

Edited by Mwakera Mwajefa

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