Private-public sector initiative boosts PGH's COVID-19 response

CALOOCAN CITY, Oct. 24 (PIA) --The Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation, Zuellig Pharma Corporation, Metro Drug Inc.and Go Negosyo on Tuesday turned over the proceeds of their fundraising initiative to the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) as part of the private sector's support to the government's COVID-19 response efforts.

The fundraising initiative, dubbed "Kaagapay: Protect our Healthcare Heroes," solicited PHP 15 million worth of equipment, and a cash donation amounting to PHP 1.386 million from employees of Zuellig Pharma Corporation and Metro Drug Inc.

Earlier, PDRF signed a deed of donation with PGH signifying the former's support for the construction of the hospital's COVID isolation ward.

This agreement is in line with the foundation's commitment to help provide government health institutions with much-needed medical equipment, PPEs, test kits, and ventilators, among others.

"The PHP 15 million worth of equipment provided by Zuellig Pharma and the PHP 1.386 million in cash donations raised by the companies we earlier mentioned will help scale up the Philippine General Hospital's health facilities, and enable it to better manage COVID-19 patients," National Task Force Against COVID-19 Chief Implementer and Presidential Peace Adviser Sec. Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. said.

The event was attended by UP-PGH Director Dr. Gerardo Legaspi, PDRF President Butch Meily, Zuellig Family Foundation Executive Director and former DILG Undersecretary Austere Panadero, ZFF Deputy Executive Director Dr. Anthony Faraon, Zuellig Pharma Senior Vice President for Sustainability and Government Affairs Raymund Azurin, and Metro Drug Inc. Chairperson Jannette Jakosalem.

Dr. Legaspi also showed the ongoing rehabilitation of its emergency rooms, which is considered as one of the largest in the country. It can accommodate to at least 70 patients both COVID-19 and non-COVID. (PIA-NCR)