Accra The Standard Chartered Bank has donated portable Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing equipment and Personal Protective Equipment to the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research to support and expand testing capabilities in the fight against COVID-19.
The portable PCR equipment
would enable Noguchi to remotely test samples of suspected COVID-19 cases
making it possible to test more people within their communities and
neighbourhoods, hence providing the ability to detect cases much quicker.
The Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical
Research (NMIMR) is one of the institutions in Ghana mandated to carry out
testing, contact tracing and diagnostic confirmation of COVID-19 in Ghana.
The Bank also donated N95 masks to protect the
health workers as they go into the field to do contact tracing and testing.
Speaking during the presentation, Mrs Mansa
Nettey, the Chief Executive, Standard Chartered Bank Ghana Limited, said:
“Standard Chartered, in keeping with our brand promise to be here for good,
particularly in times of adversity, has committed GHC1 million to support
efforts in curbing the spread of COVID-19 in Ghana.”
“Testing is very important in the fight against
the pandemic and we believe that it is appropriate to support the Noguchi
Memorial Institute for Medical Research with the right equipment to expand and
enhance its testing capabilities.”
Professor Abraham Kwabena Anang, the Director of
the NMIMR, said: “The Standard Chartered donation will go a long way in the
fight against COVID-19. The PCR equipment is a mobile one and the Institute
will use it to augment its work in testing for the virus.”
He said the gesture from the Bank fits into the
vision of the SDG-17, which encourages the building of partnerships; Strategic
and Innovative partnerships to break barriers.
“The Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical
Research would like to show its appreciation by accepting Standard Chartered as
a key strategic partner and will continue to collaborate with them,” he said.
The Bank also donated 2000 PPE to the Greater
Accra Regional Hospital at Ridge made up of N95 masks, surgical gloves and
disposable coveralls to augment the supply of PPE to frontline staff.
The Greater Accra Regional Hospital was the
first medical facility in the country to be designated as a Case Management
Centre to deal with the outbreak of the disease in Ghana.
Mr Adoteye Anum, Head, Financial Markets,
presenting the items to the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, said: “We
appreciate the dedication and sacrifice of frontline workers in the fight
against COVID-19. We are committed to supporting them with the resources they
need to carry out their work effectively”.
Dr Emmanuel Srofenyoh, the Medical Director at
the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, said the donation had come at an opportune
time.
“PPE are items that are critically needed by the
frontline. There is a high need for them as they are disposable. We appreciate
this gesture from Standard Chartered.”
These donations form part of the Bank’s initial
GHS1million commitment to fight Covid-19.
The Bank will be making additional donations
including testing equipment and Personal Protective Equipment to hospitals and
health facilities across the country as well as supporting the vulnerable in
underserved communities.
Source: Ghana News Agency