The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has received 15 brand-new Honda motorcycles from the Health Security Project.
The bikes are to strengthen environmental monitoring, improve field inspections, prevent and respond to health emergencies.
The donation underscores the importance of environmental protection in safeguarding public health, and forms part of commitment to strengthen national health security through the One Health approach.
The Health Security Project is a government initiative jointly implemented by the ministries of Health, Agriculture and EPA. The project is to build national capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to health emergencies by promoting collaboration across human, animal, and environmental health.
Under the initiative, the Ministry of Health leads the human health component; Agriculture oversees animal health, while EPA is to address environmental health concerns.
Rafael Ngumbu, EPA Director of Environmental Research and Radiation Safety, and focal point for the project presented the motorcycles on Wednesday, October 14.
Ngumbu said, the donation will strengthen the Agency’s ability to carry out environmental surveillance, and field activities, particularly in the counties.
He emphasized the need to allow the environment plays a critical role in the One Health approach.
He further disclosed how the Health Security Project has provided 15 laptops, laboratory equipment valued at approximately US$200,000, and postgraduate scholarships to strengthen the Agency’s technical expertise.
EPA Executive Director, Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo, who received the motorcycles, thanked the Health Security Project for the donation.
The 15 motorcycles will improve the movement of EPA inspectors, and strengthen the Agency’s presence in the field, particularly in areas where transportation challenges have limited environmental surveillance.
