As a response to the COVID-19 health crisis bearing down on the Dominican Republic, the Sanar una Nación corporate alliance, led by prominent Dominican corporations and CitiHope Relief & Development, is joining forces with the National Council of Private Enterprise, Inc. (CONEP) in the provision of US$4.8 million of urgently needed screening tests, protective gear, medical supplies, medicines and nutrition to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on the population.
This first contribution, aimed at basic medical needs of the chronically ill and fortified food to increase the immune defenses of the vulnerable, will be followed by other donations as more businesses internationally join the coalition.
Screening Tests and Medical Supplies Items purchased directly by our Dominican corporate sponsors for delivery through the Sanar una Nación alliance include 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 rapid combined IgM/IgG antibody test kits yielding 15-minute results and as follow-up testing the delivery of 10,000 units of PCR tests including five Real Time PCR Diagnostic machines, 100 Hazmat Rated face masks, 10,000 disposable protective clothing kits with N-95 masks for hospital and laboratory professionals, as well as 10 AEONMED VG70 ventilators. This COVID-19 specific aid will be channeled through the Dominican Government’s high-level commissions for the Prevention and Control of Coronaviruses, which is leading the health crisis.
Medicines and Fortified Food Additionally, CitiHope has staged through its Sanar una Nación alliance the distribution of US $3.2 million of medicines and Rise Against Hunger & USAID fortified food with the aim of mitigating the health emergency. Over 1.4 million servings of fortified food will be distributed to help strengthen the immune system of those at risk for malnutrition; including senior citizens, pregnant women and children. Likewise, the medicines intended to treat chronic diseases and opportunistic infections will benefit more than 100,000 patients.
Photo credits: Tahni X. Tuccelli
Sanar una Nación is the corporate social responsibility alliance led by CitiHope Relief & Development and prominent Dominican corporations; Grupo Rica, Grupo Popular, Grupo Ramos, and Grupo Universal and with publicity support of PagésBBDO. The collaborating CONEP affiliated corporations include INICIA, CCN, Grupo Martí, CEPM and Humano.