Kenya Airways on Monday, December 7 launched a modern pharma cargo facility at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
The pharmacy is expected to facilitate medical shipments from KQ’s Nairobi hub to various destinations in Africa and beyond.
Notably, the pharma facility was launched as the world shifts focus to the safe and efficient global distribution of a Covid-19 vaccine in 2021.
KQ Cargo Director Dick Murianki noted that the airline was ready to provide an end-to-end logistics solution for distribution of the vaccine.
“KQ Cargo has been laying the groundwork and working closely with pharmaceutical and medical customers to be ready to safely and effectively support their vaccines transportation needs to move efficiently once the vaccine is approved by the regulators,” he disclosed.
Since the onset of the pandemic in Kenya in mid-March, Kenya Airways has transported over 6,000 tonnes of medical equipment as well as various essential goods and supplies.
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Murianki remained hopeful that the facility would play a major role in meeting global demand for medical supplies.
“The investment in the ultra-modern pharma facility, though coinciding with COVID-19 pandemic, is to further meet the demand of pharmaceutical products globally in preparation for the big task of transporting medicines, vaccines, blood samples and temperature-sensitive cargo by having an end-to-end cold chain logistics solutions,” he noted.
KQ Pharma promises safe handling of temperature controlled pharmaceuticals and other health care products in accordance to the IATA CEIV, GDP and WHO guidelines.
Kenya Airways has made various improvements to boost readiness to facilitate movement of the Covid vaccine.
The increased fleet on the B787 and B737 is meant to ensure the carrier can access even remote destinations.
It also introduced Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to facilitate fast and priority handling of the expected Covid-19 vaccines.
The national carrier is also collaborating with customs and other agencies to ensure the smooth release of the vaccine.
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