Absa Bank Uganda has donated UGX230 million to provide 6,528,000 litres of medical oxygen to four regional referral hospitals to boost the capacity of the medical facilities to meet requirements for oxygen therapy by patients affected by Covid-19.
The donation of total of 160 oxygen cylinders complete with their accessories was received on Thursday, 29th June 2021, by Minister of Heath, Dr Ruth Aceng.
The cylinders will be distributed to the four regional referral hospitals of; Gulu, Soroti, Lira and Jinja in support of the COVID-19 response.
While giving away the donation, Absa’s Managing Director, Mumba Kalifungwa said, “This pandemic is by far the biggest challenge that our society has faced and continues to face. Our commitment is to therefore make a contribution towards addressing the socio-economic challenges presented by COVID-19.”
” I urge you all to continue following the Ministry of Health guidelines , stay home, only go out if it’s absolutely necessary, wear a mask, practice social distancing and practice good hand hygiene regularly to lower the number of infections” Kalifungwa urged.
Receiving the donation, on behalf of government, Minister Ruth Aceng thanked Absa bank for boosting the country’s efforts in the fight against Covid-19 and said the cylinders will be distributed to the four medical facilities with each expected to receive 40 cylinders.
“We appreciate this donation by Absa Uganda which will strengthen the medical oxygen supply of the beneficiary hospitals. We welcome opportunities to work with the private sector to strengthen national response to the pandemic.”
The donation comes at a time as Uganda continues to face limited supply of the medical oxygen needed by critically Covid patients in Intensive Care Units.
Uganda’s nationwide medical oxygen production capacity is only about 60% of the projected COVID-19 peak demand which is potentially fatal.The donated oxygen is expected to meet the demand for patients in these hospitals receiving critical care.
Kalifungwa said he believes the support will supplement government efforts to meet the demand for medical oxygen by hospitals which will be required in both the short and long term as we deal with the Pandemic.
“We remain committed to have a positive impact in society and address some of the key challenges facing society. This is under ‘Role in society’ agenda and this donation is one of the initiatives to address the challenges presented by Covid-19,” Kalifungwa said.