By Our Reporter
As part of its Covid-19 Emergency Response Programme (CERP), the Eastern and Southern African Trade and Development Bank (TDB) has donated different types of locally-procured medical supplies, medical equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) to close to Ugandan 60 hospitals, in collaboration with the Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uganda and the country’s National Response Fund to Covid-19.
Donated supplies include: 1,060 examination gloves, 500 surgical gloves, 1,000 surgical masks with folds, 1,000 NK95 respirators, 500 fluid-resistant coveralls, 300 face shields, 600 protective goggles, 1,000 heavy duty aprons, 800 heavy duty gloves, 120 gum boots, 500 cotton wools, 480 safety boxes, 300 fluid resistant gowns, 500 sanitizers, 500 sodium hypochlorite, and 100 infra-red thermometers.
The supplies were handed over during a ceremony hosted by the Rt. Hon. Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, Prime Minister of the Republic of Uganda by – on behalf of TDB – Mr. Richard Byarugaba, Managing Director of Uganda’s National Social Security Fund and shareholder representative on the TDB Board of Governors, to Mr. Emmanuel Katongole, Chairperson of the National Response Fund to Covid-19.
“This donation will enhance Ugandan hospitals and health care workers’ level of preparedness to combat the Covid-19 pandemic and make sure that they, themselves, are adequately protected to continue helping others,” said Mr. Byarugaba.
“We are delighted to contribute to the efforts deployed by the Government of Uganda towards the fight against Covid-19,” added Admassu Tadesse, TDB President and Chief Executive. “Indeed, we are working hard in tandem with various partners in our Member States to curb the spread of the virus and mitigate its impact. This urgent action complements the reprioritized financing interventions we are rolling-out for enterprises, sovereigns and financial institutions via TDB’s operations complex. It is only by acting in solidarity that will shall defeat this common enemy”.
Mary Kamari, TDB Corporate Affairs and Investor Relations Executive commented that, “CERP is part of TDB’s COVID-19 broad response plan. So far, this targeted direct assistance programme has delivered to various TDB Member States medical supplies, equipment & PPEs, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions, support to local SMEs, to women and youth employment, as well as a contribution to the African Union’s Africa CDC, among other actions.”