In continuation of its efforts towards combating Covid-19, Coca-Cola partnered with Care Bangladesh to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) for more than 1000 healthcare professionals, said a press release.

The PPE distribution kicked off in Dhaka yesterday, in presence of officials from the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). This initiative will also cover some health facilities located in Comilla and Gazipur.

Care's local implementing partners in this initiative are Social and Economic Enhancement Programme (SEEP) and Dhaka Ahsania Mission (DAM).

Director General of the DGHS, Prof Dr Abul Kalam Azad was present as Chief Guest on the occasion. He said, "During this time, the private sector and NGOs need to come forward and join hands with the government. I thank Coca-Cola Foundation and Care Bangladesh for coming forward to support health facilities."

A thousand personal protective equipment (PPE) for doctors and nurses who are tending to Covid-19 patients, 835 fabricated PPE for frontline health workers, 1000 eye shields, 2600 N-95 face masks, 10,000 disposable hand gloves, 50 litres of hand sanitiser, 100 bottles of hand rub, 40 oxygen cylinders, 10,000 biohazard garbage bags and 12 thermal scanners were handed over on the occasion.

Ramesh Singh, Country Director of Care Bangladesh said, "We are going through unprecedented times. Communities across Bangladesh are in need of support. Our partnership with Coca cola has been instrumental to support communities as well as health facilities. We appreciate the Government of Bangladesh for its leadership and we are joining hands with government efforts. We are grateful to all health professionals for their commitment, but we are also concerned about their safety."

"Through various efforts, Care Bangladesh reached to 1,723,958 people in different parts of Bangladesh till last month," he added.