COVID-19: Bajaj donates 50 hospital beds, motorcycles

HEALTH  | COVID-19

The National Response Fund to COVID-19 team has received 50 hospital beds, 14 tons of food and five motorcycles from Bajaj, a company which deals in motorcycles.

Bajaj Chief Commercial officer, Pramod Yadav handed over the donation to Mary Karooro Okurut, the Minister for General Duties and Dorothy Kisaka, the secretary and administrator of the fund at the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) in Kampala on Thursday.

Pramod explained the donation worth sh105m includes 50 hospital beds worth sh38m; 14 tons of maize and cassava flour, rice and cooking oil worth sh45m, while the motorcycles (Bajaj Boxer) cost sh22.5m.

He said the donations should benefit the health workers in different hospitals who are at the frontline in the fight against the COVID-19.

"In solidarity and appreciation of the health workers roles, we have sought to support them in appreciations for a job well-done to fight the Coronavirus."

"The motorcycles should ease transport to health workers in those hospitals, because they have been at the forefront of fighting the coronavirus pandemic," said Pramod.

He also lauded President Museveni for the commendable effort expressed in the fight against COVID-19.

Karooro commended different organizations and well-wishers who have contributed to the fund in response to President Yoweri Museveni's call for support for the campaign against COVID-19.

She said the food will be distributed by the Ministry of Health to different hospitals to benefit the health workers at the frontline in the fight against the Corona virus pandemic.

Karooro warned Ugandans against relaxing to implement the COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) put up by the Ministry of Health outlined by the health ministry to fight COVID-19 pandemic.

"Ugandans should not relax to follow the SOPs put up by the Ministry of Health outlined by to fight COVID-19 which include compulsory hand-washing with soap and clean water, social distancing, hand wearing of fascial masks among others.

"Ugandans should not take it for granted that since we have not registered any COVID-19 deaths, that Coronavirus is a myth," said Karooro.

She said that all COVID-19 donors will be issued with a certificate of appreciation by the president.

"The fight against COVID-19 is a collective effort of both individuals and government, which government could not handle alone," Karooro added.

COVID-19 FUND

Last Month, Emmanuel Katongole the chairman National Response Fund to COVID-19   revealed that "since its inception by President Yoweri Museveni last April, the fund has raised sh50b in cash and kind from almost 600 entities, including individuals, businesses, NGOs, professional bodies and public officers''.

He says his target is sh170b. "We call on more well-wishers, corporate bodies and organizations donate generously to fight the Corona virus pandemic," said Katongole.