Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
IDC DONATES TO FRONTLINE HEALTH WORKERS FIGHTING COVID-19
Lusaka, April 6, 2019 – The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) has donated assorted Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to help the Ministry of Health contain the Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Group CEO Mr Mateyo Kaluba handed over the assortment to the Minister of Health, Dr Chitalu Chilufya, which comprised 5000 face masks, 5000 pairs of gloves, 500 eye protection goggles, 500 plastic aprons, 500 head nets, 500 pairs of overshoes and 50 medical gowns.
The Personal Protective Equipment is meant for use by health workers who are on the frontline fighting the COVID-19, which many countries around the world, including Zambia, are grappling with.
“We’ve targeted the frontline staff who, unlike some of us that can stay at home, are constantly exposed to the virus, so we thought it prudent that we donate to them,” said Mr Kaluba.
He also commended the Government for the effective measures put in place to safeguard the nation against Covid-19.
“Let me also take this opportunity to commend the government through your ministry for the very important decisions that have been taken that have kept most of Zambia safe. The measures have been very effective and we continue to express confidence that the decisions that the government will take going forward will be in the best interest of not only the business community of which we are a part, but also the general public as a whole,” Mr Kaluba said.
In receiving the donation, Health Minister Dr Chitalu Chilufya said the donation by IDC showed solidarity to President Edgar Chagwa Lungu’s robust fight against this grave public health threat.
“Today, one of the high cost centres in our response is personal protective equipment and these barriers protect health workers from contracting the disease as they try to help. These barriers also disrupt human to human transmission so this is a high impact investment in the fight against covid-19,” Dr Chilufya said.
The Minister called on all corporates to benchmark what IDC had done, to hold hands with the government at a time like this when the country faced a grave threat that has claimed many lives globally and has the potential to ruin the country’s economy.
Ends
Issued by
Namakau Mukelabai
Public Relations Manager
Industrial Development Corporation