The United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA) today announced a donation of over (USD14 million), through the UBA Foundation, to catalyse a comprehensive pan-African response to the fight against the coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic.
The donation will provide significant and much needed support to Nigeria, the bank’s headquarters and 19 other African countries, by supplying relief materials, critical care facilities, and financial support to Governments.
UBA Group Chairman Tony O. Elumelu has emphasized the need for all and sundry to mutualize efforts in stopping the spread of the pandemic.
‘This is a time when we must all play our part. This global pandemic must bring citizens, governments and business leaders together – and quickly. ” Elumelu said. “As we see a rapidly increasing number of cases of the coronavirus in Africa, the private sector has to work hand in hand with various Governments, in stemming the spread of the global pandemic.” he added.
The Group chairman says, “We commend the efforts of governments and we are keen to partner and contribute our resources to the collective effort, that will ensure the response to the pandemic is swift and effective.”
Cameroon is one of 20 countries hosting the United Bank of Africa and is set to benefit from 4.2 million US Dollars reserved for the continent. The UBA support programme will be allocated as follows:
- (USD2.8 million) to Lagos State Government in Nigeria
- (USD1.4 million) to Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, Abuja
- (USD2.8 million) to the remaining 35 states in Nigeria
- (USD4.2 million) to UBA’s presence countries in Africa
- (USD2.8 million) for Medical Centres with equipment and supplies
- Free Telemedicine call centre facility
The pan-African bank will fund a medical centre immediately in Lagos, Nigeria, with beds for isolation and ICU facilities, managed and operated in partnership with Heirs Holdings’ healthcare subsidiary, Avon Medical Hospital.
In addition, UBA is providing a free telemedicine platform, that is physician-led, to provide direct access to medical advice to citizens, in compliance with social distancing requirements. Out of the 486.000 people infected by the pandemic, Africa has at the moment 2746 cases. I:�Id9
