Beximco provides PPE to healthcare professionals
Beximco Group has contributed TK15 crore (US$1.8 million) to support this initiative
Beximco Group has decided to provide personal protective equipment (PPE), medicines, and coronavirus testing kits to the frontline health care workers dealing with the Covid-19 patients every day.
Beximco Group's pharmaceutical division, Beximco Pharma, has handed over the first consignment of the equipment to representatives from different testing centres and government designated hospitals during a ceremony at a local hotel in the capital today.
Beximco Group has contributed TK15 crore (US$1.8 million) to support this initiative.
Managing Director of Beximco Pharma Nazmul Hassan MP said Beximco Pharma is actively involved in various initiatives and support programmes in response to the Covid-19 outbreak."
He said these include arranging much needed ventilators from abroad for the critical Covid-19 patients and in collaboration with a research organization of international repute, providing financial support in the creation of modern laboratory facilities and enhancing hospital facilities, especially for the underprivileged.
Beximco Pharma will distribute PPE, which include very high-quality imported 'TYVEK Protective Coveralls' (protective gowns), face masks, gloves, protective goggles etc. in two phases.
In the first phase, the Company will distribute sufficient numbers of PPE to two testing centres - IEDCR and icddr,b, and other Government designated hospitals for COVID-19 treatment namely Kuwait Maitri Hospital, Kurmitola General Hospital, Bangladesh Railway Hospital in Kamlapur, Mahanagar General Hospital in Nayabazar, BAVS Maternity Hospital in Mirpur, Kamrangirchar 31-bed Hospital, Aminbazar 20-bed Hospital, Jinjira 20-bed Hospital and CMH Dhaka.
In the second phase Beximco Pharma will expand distribution of these PPE nationwide to more than 150 leading hospitals.
Beximco Group Chairman A S F Rahman said the group is always committed to extending support to any national emergency.
"Ensuring access to personal protective equipment is a top priority right now, and we are proud to be responding to this need to ensure the safety of healthcare professionals in Bangladesh. We, as a responsible business group, will continue to provide our wholehearted support to the government in facing this enormous crisis," said ASF Rahman.
Beximco Group Vice-Chairman Salman F Rahman, who is also Private Industry and Investment Adviser to Hon'ble Prime Minister, said the corporates of Bangladesh are acutely aware of their social responsibilities and have always joined the national efforts to tackle any crisis.
"I believe that the initiative of Beximco Group will inspire other entities, large and small, in Bangladesh to come forward in helping the government to tackle this crisis to best of their abilities," said the adviser to the Prime Minister.
UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Ms Mia Seppo, Senior Director at Infectious Diseases Division of icddr,b Prof Allen Ross, WHO Representative in Bangladesh Dr Bardan Jung Rana, Country Director of CDC Dr Michael Friedman, IEDCR Director Prof Dr Meerjady Sabrina Flora, and General Secretary of Bangladesh Society of Medicine Prof Dr Ahmedul Kabir were present on this occasion.
Bangladesh has so far reported 48 cases of Covid-19 and 5 deaths, with a number people suspected of having Covid-19 under quarantine.