Beximco Pharmaceuticals, Bangladeshi generic pharmaceutical and API manufacturer, has donated PPE to healthcare professionals across Bangladesh following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. As of 27 March 2020, Bangladesh has reported 48 cases of COVID-19 and 5 deaths as a result of the virus.
Healthcare professionals are coming under increased pressure in their fight against this pandemic and, without the appropriate PPE, risk their own health when treating patients and conducting research. Beximco Pharma will distribute PPE, which include protective gowns, face masks, gloves and goggles, in two phases:
- In the first phase, the company will distribute sufficient numbers of PPE to two testing centres and government-designated hospitals for COVID-19 treatment
- In the second phase, Beximco Pharma will expand distribution of PPE nationwide to more than 150 leading hospitals
Beximco Group has contributed $1.8 million to support this initiative.
Nazmul Hassan, Managing Director of Beximco Pharma, said: "During this time of global crisis, Bangladesh urgently needs a supply of medicines for treatment, test kits for diagnosis and PPE for protecting the frontline healthcare workers dealing with COVID-19 patients every day. At Beximco Pharma, we will continue to provide essential PPE in order to ensure the safety of the doctors, nurses, and patients and help to maintain normal hospital activity as much as possible.”
In addition, Beximco Pharma is actively involved in various initiatives and support programmes in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. These include arranging much needed ventilators from abroad for critical COVID-19 patients and, in collaboration with a research organisation of international repute, providing financial support in the creation of modern laboratory facilities and enhancing hospital facilities.
A S F Rahman, Chairman of Beximco Group, added: “Ensuring access to personal protective equipment is a top priority of Beximco Pharma, and we are proud to be responding to this need to ensure the safety of healthcare professionals in Bangladesh.”
Salman F Rahman, Vice-Chairman of Beximco Group and Private Industry and Investment Adviser to Hon’ble Prime Minister, said: “Corporates of Bangladesh are acutely aware of their social responsibilities and have always joined national efforts to tackle any crisis.”
Referring to the Prime Minister’s speech stating this fight against COVID-19 is a war and a testing time for humanity, Salman added: “It has to be fought on all fronts, involving both private and public sectors. I believe the initiative of Beximco Group will inspire other entities, large and small, in Bangladesh to come forward in helping the government to tackle this crisis to the best of their abilities.”