Zambian Breweries has started production of hand sanitisers to help curb the spread of COVID-19, following approval from the Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority (ZAMRA).
And this week the company donated 5,000 440ml bottles of ZB branded hand sanitisers to the Ministry of Health in Lusaka.
“Thanks to ZAMRA, who gave us the certification, we managed to produce, for the very first time in our labs, hand sanitisers,” said ZB Country Director, Jose Moran.
Mr Moran noted that production of hand sanitisers followed high demand of the commodity on the market and reduced alcohol production at the company in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“As you know, we produce beer – the brands that you like – but this time that we have reduced our production, we are using our equipment and our people to make hand sanitisers,” he said.
And, Mr Moran called for partnership in the production of Zambian Breweries hand sanitisers.
“I am also looking for partners that will help us to cover the costs, so that we can do this at a bigger scale,” the country director noted.
He observed that good partnership would help reduce the prices of hand sanitisers on the Zambian market.
Receiving the branded hand sanitisers on behalf of government, Minister of Health Dr Chitalu Chilufya hailed Zambian Breweries for supplementing government efforts in combating COVID-19.
“We want to thank you so much for your positive corporate social responsibility programme. The donation towards hand washing and improved sanitation will curb the spread of the infection in the communities and among health workers,” Dr Chilufya said.
Using an alcohol-based hand sanitiser is one of the preventive measures of COVID-19 stipulated by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
