ZCZC
BSS-13
COVID19-PPE-DONATION
Novartis donates 28,000 PPE to combat COVID-19
DHAKA, May 28, 2020 (BSS) – Swiss-based multinational pharmaceutical
company, Novartis (Bangladesh) Limited has donated 28,000 personal protective
equipment (PPE) to Swiss Red Cross and Bangladesh Red Crescent Society to
help combat COVID-19.
The equipment, including medical gown, KN 95 masks and goggles, worth Taka
2.27 crore will be distributed among the health care professionals who are
working at the designated hospitals for corona treatment in the country.
Novartis (Bangladesh) Managing Director Dr. Riad Mamun Prodhani handed
over the medical gears to the representatives of Swiss Red Cross (SRC) and
Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) yesterday, said a press release
today.
Riad Mamun said Novartis Bangladesh will be more active in preventing
spread of COVID-19 while putting the interest of the patients and all others
involved in medical care at the front.
“It is a small donation but we are very excited to be part of the
nationwide efforts to overcome the COVID-19 outbreak, he added.
To support the government’s efforts during the COVID crisis, Riad Mamun
said, Novartis has taken all-out efforts to ensure the uninterrupted supply
of their medicine for patients.
Starting from opening a dormitory at their Tongi manufacturing plant for
the continuation of production, it has arranged home delivery of medicine to
prevent any potential supply disruptions.
SRC Bangladesh Country Representative Amitabh Sharma
said impact of the pandemic is unique and its management requires the
establishment of partnerships like never before.
“Coming together of Novartis, BDRCS and SRC is not only a good example of
such partnerships but we are also extremely happy to extend our support and
collaboration to Novartis in distributing the high-quality PPE to hospitals
and frontline workers that are at the forefront of COVID-19,” he added.
BDRCS Secretary General Md. Feroz Salah Uddin, Deputy Secretary-General
Rafiqul Islam, Country Head Sandoz Paolo Agbotounou, Head of Novartis
Technical Operations Md. Mosiul Islam, Head of Public Affairs Abdul Goni,
Chief Finance Officer Fahmid Wasik Ali and Head of Legal Sumaiya Sadia Huda
were present.
BSS/PR/MAK/GA/1522 Hrs