People’s Leasing & Finance (People’s Leasing) donated essential medical equipment to strengthen the national response against the COVID-19 pandemic. The vital medical supplies were presented to selected government hospitals to support testing and treatment.
The handing over ceremony was held graced by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and Minister of Health Pavithra Wanniarachchi and Sujeewa Rajapaksa, Chairman of People’s Bank & People’s Leasing, and Shamindra Marcelline, Chief Executive Officer/General Manager, People’s Leasing. This donation was a Corporate Social Responsibility initiative coinciding with the 25th anniversary of People’s Leasing.
PLC’s medical support to effectively control COVID-19 response included two portable PCR machines for COVID testing and other essential medical equipment to enhance the efficiency of in-ward and intensive care units. The equipment consignment also included: a portable ventilator, a high flow oxygen therapy unit, multipara patient monitors for in-ward and intensive care use, CPAP/ BiPAP machines, pulse oximeters, infusion, and syringe pumps.
Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Minister of Health also emphasized the importance of the timely intervention in donating essential medical equipment to effectively perform tests against COVID and effectively treat COVID-19 patients at a juncture where our nation has been hit by an unprecedented third wave of the coronavirus.
“The donation of medical items today is a further testament to PLC’s commitment to empowering frontline healthcare workers to perform with greater efficiency and convenience with necessary resources at their disposal. The donation to coincide with our anniversary was a response to a request to us from the government hospitals which operatewith limited resources,” stated Sujeewa Rajapaksa, Chairman of People’s Bank & People’s Leasing.
Meanwhile, Shamindra Marcelline, Chief Executive Officer/General Manager, People’s Leasing, said that the focus of this particular program was also included vulnerable communities outside of Colombo. He extended his gratitude to the Health Ministry for their continuous support throughout the project, from conducting need assessments to fast procurement from quality-listed suppliers.
“We appreciate the fact that People’s Leasing donated the items where they are most required,” said Dr I W M J Wickramaratne, Director – District General Hospital Trincomalee. He further said that, as the number of COVID cases has surged daily over the past weeks, the donation is seen as of paramount importance and relevance.
Since the pandemic’s start, PLC has increased prevention and response activities in its business operating sites islandwide. In adherence to the health protocols introduced by the government, running awareness campaigns with key messages on prevention among its staff and customers, scaling up sanitary and hygiene facilities in its network of the business unit, and setting up a dedicated COVID Task Force within the company to steer prompt action on COVID control were some of the measures undertaken by PLC.
During the first pandemic wave, PLC extended support to strengthen COVID patient management by presenting medical equipment, including infrared thermometers, wireless stethoscopes, echo ultrasound scanner machines, and other essential equipment to several government hospitals.
