The United Bank for Africa Plc has announced a donation of over N5 billion ($14 million) through the UBA Foundation to catalyse a comprehensive pan-African response to the fight against the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) global pandemic.
The Bank in a statement on Thursday said the donation will provide significant and much needed support to Nigeria and 19 other African countries by supplying relief materials, critical care facilities and financial support to Governments.
It said the support programme will see the Lagos State Government in Nigeria getting N1 billion ($2.8 million); N500 million ($1.4 million) goes to Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, Abuja; and another N1 billion ($2.8 million) to the remaining 35 states in Nigeria.
Other beneficiaries will be countries where UBA has its presence in Africa, which will get N1.5 billion ($4.2 million); and N1 billion ($2.8 million) for medical centres with equipment and supplies and free telemedicine call centre facility.
The Bank said it 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.
UBA Group Chairman, Tony O. Elumelu, stated: “This is a time when we must all play our part. This global pandemic must bring citizens, governments and business leaders together – and quickly. As we see a rapidly increasing number of cases of the coronavirus in Nigeria and Africa, the private sector has to work hand in hand with various Governments, in stemming the spread of the global pandemic.
“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.”
Operating in 20 African countries and globally in the United Kingdom, the United States and France, the United Bank for Africa has a strong record of supporting its communities through challenging times.
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