PPC donates ZWL$1,3m to support healthcare workers

STAFF WRITER

Listed cement producer, Pretoria Portland Cement (PPC) Zimbabwe, on Friday donated ZWL$1,3m towards protective gear for frontline health workers at several hospitals across the country to limit the spread of the deadly coronavirus, which has ravaged economies across the worldwide.

Beneficiaries are frontline workers at Gwanda Provincial Hospital, Chitungwiza Central Hospital, Manama Hospital in Matabeleland South, United Bulawayo Hospitals, Mpilo Central Hospital, Mater Dei and Thorngrove Isolation Centre.

Healthcare workers at hospitals across the country face critical shortages of protective medical gear such as surgical masks, disposable gowns and gloves, which they need to care for COVID-19 patients, while minimising their own risk of catching the infectious disease.

The donation was handed over to Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care Dr. John Chamunorwa Mangwiro at a ceremony held at Chitungwiza Central Hospital.

“As COVID-19 continues to threaten lives locally and around the world, PPC is playing its part to support the healthcare workers who are putting themselves in harm’s way in order to safeguard the nation’s health during this crisis,” PPC Zimbabwe general manager,sales and marketing, Zanele Dube said.

She added: “As the mantra “Strength Beyond” guides PPC, the organisation believes it has a responsibility beyond the provision of cement on the market. PPC’s vision is greater, and it sees its critical role to uplift not only Africa’s infrastructure, but Africa’s people. That means that when Zimbabwe need PPC, it will never hesitate to lead from the front, contributing as much as possible to solving problems and challenges at hand.  

“The battle against COVID-19 is a marathon, rather than a sprint. As various organisations and initiatives have heeded to the call to support Zimbabwe’s hospitals and frontline workers, PPC Zimbabwe is making its donations to some of the more overlooked areas and institutions, so that a stronger foundation is built to fight COVID-19 together.

“Above all, as a local producer, PPC is proud to contribute positively to Zimbabwe and her people.

“PPC would like to thank all health workers for the hard work they are doing to secure the health of our communities and our nation. The organisation is committed to always go above and beyond to help the growth and development of our country.”

Accepting the donation, Dr Mangwiro said: “It’s much appreciated that you are bringing this donation to support the health workers at a time when doctors and nurses in other countries have died in big numbers.”

He added: “Without PPEs we will be risking the health of our frontline health workers. You are coming at the right time.”

PPC Zimbabwe, established in 1913, has three manufacturing plants at Colleen Bawn in Gwanda, Bulawayo and Harare.

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