Airtel Networks Zambia Plc has donated K5 million to the Ministry of Health as part of the Company’s Corporate Social Responsibility in the fight against COVID 19.
Handing over the cheque to the Minister of Health, Dr. Chitalu Chilufya at the Ministry Head Office, and flanked by Ministry of Transport and Communication Permanent Secretary, Engineer Misheck Lungu, Airtel Managing Director Apoorva Mehrotra said his company was joining in the fight against the pandemic that has affected almost all the countries in not just Africa but the World over.
“This virus respects no borders and Airtel is committed to play its part in tackling the pandemic. Today, we announce our support for Zambia’s fight against COVID-19 through a contribution of K5 million which we hope will go a long way in helping you acquire equipment for our frontline staff who are working hard to look after the sick. As part of the private sector we believe it was only right for us to mobilize resources, alongside the Government, to fight the raging pandemic,” Mehrotra said.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Minister of Health, Dr. Chitalu Chilufya thanked Airtel for the timely donation saying the Ministry was grateful as it would go a long way in helping the fight against COVID 19.
“I want to say we are thankful for this timely donation as it comes at a time when we all need to put our heads together to fight this pandemic,” Chilufya said.
And Engineer Lungu said his Ministry was happy to see the many stakeholders contributing to the fight against COVID 19 and thanked Airtel for the K5million donation.
In a statement made available to the Zambian Business Times – ZBT on April 22, 2020, Lungu said the Ministry that oversees the telecommunication industry is delighted to see this sort of commitment saying working together with the private sector will be able to achieve much more.
Airtel has already taken several steps to help mitigate the impact of social distancing on its customers during the coronavirus outbreak and implemented various measures in all retail shops to minimise contact as well as providing hand sanitizers for its frontline staff and gloves for all staff that have to handle cash.
The Company is also assisting by disseminating messages about the pandemic at no cost to the entire base of Airtel customers every day and has also donated some phones to the Lusaka Provincial Health Office to assist as they follow up patients.
