Zambian Breweries has donated more hand sanitisers, disinfectants, and PPE to the Ministry of Health and Lusaka City Council for onward, delivery to health facilities and communities.
The support is in recognition of the severity of the impact of COVID-19 during the third wave on communities, health facilities, and businesses. The donations will be distributed to level 1 hospitals in Kanyama, Matero, and Chilenje, and surrounding community markets.
“As we move to up-scale hygiene, cleanliness, and good health amidst the third wave of COVID-19, Zambian Breweries has again come on board to support the government in the fight against the pandemic,” said Zambian Breweries Corporate Affairs Director Ezekiel Sekele during the handover. “We are donating in total 6,000 of 440ml bottles of hand-sanitisers to the Ministry of Health.”
“These sanitisers are produced strictly for donation and not for sale. Thank you again to the Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority (ZAMRA) for granting us a permit to produce this essential commodity.”
“Working together as a people we will overcome this challenge. Despite the impact on the economy and industry, we remain supportive of the measures put in place for the safety of human health and lives,” he added.
Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary for Technical Services Dr. Kennedy Malama during the COVID-19 updated said: “Zambian Breweries is providing leadership again from the corporate side on the response to COVID-19. You always come to support on strategic pillars like improving water supply in George which is a game-changer and your innovation on sanitizers is quite a marvel in that a company dealing in alcohol can use its skills, knowledge, and competencies to produce sanitizers which are making a difference.”
“We appreciate the 6,000 hand sanitizers which we know is a starter,” he added.
Furthermore, Zambian Breweries in partnership with the Lusaka City Council will disinfect densely populated markets in Lusaka: Kanyama, Matero-George, and Chilenje, while providing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and preventive materials.
To help bar owners and nightclubs adhere to safety guidelines, Zambian Breweries will also distribute COVID-19 kits consisting of hand sanitisers and handwashing stations to the bar and nightclub owners.
During the donation, Mr. Sekele advised consumers to enjoy the beverage from the safety of their homes and encouraging bar and nightclub owners to comply with government guidelines to conduct business on a takeaway basis.
“We are quite grateful to the government for allowing bar and nightclub owners to operate on a takeaway basis during the third wave. We must consume responsibly, maintain social distancing, wash our hands or, better still use an alcohol-based hand-sanitiser and where possible get vaccinated,” he said.
