Emergency solidarity action has already started importing raw materials from China to cope with the increase in COVID-19 cases

 
With the upsurge in Covid-19 cases across Brazil and the consequent shortage of raw materials to treat patients in ICUs, a group of companies joined hands to donate 3.4 million units of intubation drugs to the Ministry of Health. This quantity is sufficient to manage 500 beds for a month and a half. This solidarity action, taken as an emergency measure, was sponsored by Engie, Itaú Unibanco, Klabin, Petrobrás, Raízen and Vale, which launched this initiative two weeks ago.

 
The pool of companies, led by their CEOS, has already initiated the procedures for importing sedatives, neuromuscular blockers and opioid analgesics - basic inputs for intubation - from China. The first batch of drugs is expected to arrive next week, starting from April 15. The items are certified by both Anvisa and Chinese health authorities and will be entirely donated to the Brazilian government, which will organize their distribution among the states through the Unified Health System (SUS).

 
“We continue to closely monitor the deterioration of the pandemic scenario in Brazil and understand that there is an urgent need for companies to come together once again to assist the federal government in replenishing  the ICUs with inputs. It must be highlighted that this action is so potent only because it has the support of companies from diverse sectors. The current moment calls for unity and we hope to contribute to the health system all over Brazil,” says Eduardo Bartolomeo, CEO of Vale.

 
“Ever since the pandemic broke out, ENGIE spared no efforts to meet the needs of communities around our plants and gas pipelines, besides contributing to hospitals and laboratories, such as Fiocruz, and to other initiatives by donating the resources of our employees so that more people can be fed, tested, treated and vaccinated. This new action led by Vale enables us to expand our contribution,” says Mauricio Bähr, CEO of ENGIE Brasil.

 
“Through the Todos pela Saúde initiative, we have supported the public health system and society in combating Covid-19 since the onset of the health crisis in Brazil. The moment is still critical and initiatives such as this to guarantee treatment for those who need it the most are fundamental for lives to be saved. More than an act of solidarity, we see this mobilization of the private sector as an important commitment by companies to the nation,” says Milton Maluhy Filho, CEO of Itaú Unibanco.

“Klabin's initiatives to support the fight against the pandemic are targeted at the areas of health, social welfare and income generation for people in vulnerable situations. We are a corporate citizen, we believe that every action counts and that the private sector’s help is essential in this highly challenging moment. We will continue to focus our efforts on serving the Brazilian society through one more  solidarity action to support the public health network,” says Cristiano Teixeira, CEO of Klabin.
 

“Petrobras remains committed to helping the Brazilian society against the devastating effects of the pandemic. We believe it is essential to mobilize efforts in order to save lives, we cannot remain inert to the suffering caused by Covid-19,” says Roberto Castello Branco, CEO of Petrobras.

 
“Since the onset of the pandemic, we had come together in a genuine solidarity network – ranging from production and massive donation of the crucial 70% hand sanitizer to partnerships such as this, which add up efforts and skills to serve society and the nation. After all, every life saved is a collective victory,” underscores Ricardo Mussa, CEO of Raízen.
 

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