Kenya Airways (KQ) has invested in a pharma facility located at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to meet pharma demand and in preparation for Covid-19 vaccines.
The KQ Pharma facility measures 600 sq m, has airside access and is divided into three temperature zones, allowing for the storage of products at -15 to -20, 2 to 8 and 15 to 20 degrees Celsius.
KQ Cargo can also offer real-time temperature monitoring and build-up and breakdown within the temperature controlled area, while the facility also features a wireless temperature and humidity monitoring system.
A spokesperson said the facility can handle temperature-controlled vaccines and healthcare products, biotechnologies, express pharma and high-value pharma.
Dick Murianki, KQ Cargo director, said the immediate focus is to help with the logistics of the Covid-19 vaccine and in the long term the airline aims to use the facility to help in reducing the disease burden in Africa by examining its network to find ways to create access to treatment options in Africa.
“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 said.
“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 humongous task of transporting medicines, vaccines, blood samples and temperature-sensitive cargo by having an end-to-end cold chain logistics solutions.”
Since the lockdown in March 2020, Kenya Airways and its cargo arm KQ Cargo, have transported 6,000 tonnes of medical equipment to help fight the Covid-19 pandemic. Delta highlights readiness to transport Covid vaccines
