In order to combat the COVID 19 pandemic, the government and all private and public enterprises and institutions in the country are working relentlessly to ensure healthcare, personal safety and food security during these trying times. The Grameen group of organizations has also come forward along with others with various initiatives to tackle the challenge.
With a view to ensure the safety and protection of doctors, nurses and all health workers’ individual safety, Grameen Fabrics and Fashion (Ltd.) took the initiative and has manufactured 20,000 PPE gowns and has supplied these to different hospitals and medical centres. The production of another 10,000 pieces of PPE is currently underway. Steps have been taken for the import of specific cloth and seam sealing tape which will be used for manufacturing 20,000 PPE gowns for doctors, nurses and health personnel performing duties in Intensive Care Units (ICU). These raw materials are expected to arrive in the country by April 18.
Grameen Fabrics and Fashion Ltd are working continuously to produce a upply of 50,000 pieces of PPE including 20,000 pieces of highest grade PPE. These are all being produced with the financial support of Grameen Telecom. During the initial production, these PPEs were distributed to Kurmitola General Hospital, Kuwait Moitri Hospital, Health Division of Hazrat Shah Jalal International Airport, Sir Salimullah Medical College and Mitford Hospital, Khulna Children’s Hospital, Ambulance Owners Cooperative Society, Uttara Women’s Medical College and Hospital, D.S.K. Hospital, Swisscontact Bangladesh, Uttara Modern Hospital, and Bangladesh Medical Association.
Steps have been taken for the import of additional life saving equipment which Grameen Telecom is unable to produce on its own at this stage. Within the next 10 days Grameen Telecom will receive 200,000 surgical masks, 50,000 N95 masks, 50,000 KN95 masks, 50,000 hand gloves and 10,000 protective goggles. Grameen Telecom has taken the initiative to supply such emergency equipment to doctors, nurses and health personnel nationally. These will be given to medical organizations and facilities after necessary consultation with relevant government authorities. Grameen Telecom is requesting all enterprises who are facing any shortage of such equipment to contact them immediately (email: info@grameentelecom.net.bd) Preference will be given to those whose requirement is more urgent.
All industrial units, government and private enterprises have been closed and a lockdown has been initiated to tackle the corona virus outbreak. Many people have lost their livelihood and even more are unable to feed their families. Initially Grameen has identified 2,500 families who have not received any aid from any other organization or individual. These 2,500 families will be given regular food supply until the virus outbreak is over.
Local officers and staff of a many Grameen organizations have taken the responsibility for a fixed number of families all over the country. Grameen Telecom, Grameen Telecom Trust and Grameen Kalyan, the three Gramen organizations are providing the financial support so that the Grameen organizations can provide basic food items to these 2,500 families, or 10,000 people until the epidemic is over.