Unilever Bangladesh Limited (UBL) has donated BiPAP Breathing Machines and COVID-19 testing kits to SAJIDA Foundation. This donation is part of Unilever Bangladesh’s pledge of Tk 200 million to help the nation in its fight against COVID-19, according to a press release. The commitment includes measures such as product donations, creating social awareness, improving health infrastructure, protecting its people, and livelihoods. During this unparalleled times of need, UBL has partnered with SAJIDA Foundation, one of the leading organisations supporting the government during the COVID-19 crisis, and donated ‘Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure’ or BiPAP Breathing Machines, often used in the treatment of chronic obstructive lung and respiratory diseases that make breathing difficult. The Foundation is also 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. Under this partnership, along with medical equipment, Unilever Bangladesh will provide a cash donation of Tk 2 million, health and hygiene products for the foundation’s COVID-19 hospital and care kits for more than 2,000 frontline health workers. During this event, Head of Corporate Affairs, Partnerships & Communications of Unilever Bangladesh Shamima Akhter handed over the BiPAP Breathing Machines and COVID-19 testing kits to Senior Director, Development Programs of SAJIDA Foundation Md Fazlul Hoque. 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 Tk 18 million for medical equipment and donated Tk 11 million to two hospitals to improve the health infrastructure. CEO and Managing Director of UBL Kedar Lele said, “We are committed to protect life and livelihoods of people and support the nation in every way possible. 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 organisations in their effort to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. We hope to do more in every possible way and remain the trusted partner for Bangladesh.”  

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