Fighting Covid-19: Unilever Bangladesh donates critical medical equipment

Unilever Bangladesh Limited (UBL) recently donated BiPAP Breathing Machines and Covid-19 testing kits to Sajida Foundation and icddr,b as part of its Tk20 crore pledge to fight coronavirus.

UBL donated ‘Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure’ or BiPAP Breathing Machines to Sajida Foundation and Covid-19 testing kits to icddr,b, said a press release.

Under this partnership, along with medical equipment, Unilever Bangladesh will provide a cash donation of Tk20 lakh, health and hygiene products for Sajida Foundation’s Covid-19 hospital and care kits for more than 2,000 frontline health workers.

The foundation was one of the first responders to the Covid-19 crisis in the country and converted their Narayanganj hospital to a Covid-19 hospital to support the government. 

Shamima Akhter, head- corporate affairs, partnerships & communications of Unilever Bangladesh handed over the BiPAP Breathing Machines and Covid-19 testing kits to Md Fazlul Hoque, senior director, development programs of Sajida Foundation.

Earlier this month, UBL also handed over Covid-19 testing kits to icddr,b, who has been contributing to the plans and actions of the government in its COVID-19 response through providing free of charge testing support, disease surveillance, strengthening of laboratory capacity, and technical assistance among others. 

Unilever Bangladesh has decided to import critical medical equipment like testing kits and BiPAP Breathing Machines as Bangladesh is witnessing a national health crisis greatly triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic.

As of now Unilever Bangladesh has invested Tk1.8 crore for medical equipment and donated Tk1.1 crore to two hospitals to improve the health infrastructure. 

Kedar Lele, CEO and managing director of UBL, said, “Given our global scale and reach, we could quickly bring in much needed medical equipment like testing kits and breathing equipment into Bangladesh and provide it to organizations like Sajida Foundation and icddr,b. We believe this small, yet timely support will help to continue such reputed organizations in their effort to combat the Covid-19 pandemic.”