Engen donates R1m worth of fuel to health department in the fight against Covid-19
Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, commended the company and encouraged private companies to donate towards the country's battle against the pandemic.
ENGEN is supporting the fight against Covid-19 by contributing R1 million worth of fuel to the Department of Health for the usage of frontline health workers to power their emergency response vehicles.
“It is these vehicles that will be used to transport our healthcare workers to where they are needed most. As a company, we would like to pay tribute to, and applaud our amazing frontline health workers, who are the real heroes in the unfolding crisis,” said managing director and chief executive officer, Yusa’ Hassan.
With epidemiologists and infectious disease experts forecasting a surge in infections, the Department of Health’s frontline emergency response vehicle fleet will continue to play a vital role in the extension of health services to less privileged South Africans.
“We trust that our fuel contribution will help ensure that our national health services are able to provide medical care to the most vulnerable members of society when it is needed most.”
Speaking at the handover in Sandton on Thursday, 7 May, Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, commended the company and encouraged private companies to donate to South Africa’s battle against the pandemic.
“We want to encourage others to come on board to give us support on a continuous basis,” he said.
As the country faces a severe threat to its health and collective future, Hassan said it is their patriotic duty to step up and support government in taking proactive steps to contain and overcome the pandemic.
“We praise government for the urgent and comprehensive manner taken to manage the pandemic and to safeguard South Africans against Covid-19 infections.
“While the path ahead is uncertain, we firmly believe in the measures our government is taking to ensure the health and well-being of the great nation of South Africa. And while we are grateful to our government, we are also humbled by the work of the many NGOs, businesses and individual citizens who have all pulled together in an effort to combat the pandemic. The entire Engen family are with all of you during these challenging times,” he added.
The petroleum company’s contribution to the fight against the pandemic has a number of other investments, including R2.5m fuel and medical testing equipment to the Gift of the Givers for humanitarian relief.
The company also recently launched a campaign to support the fight against coronavirus by educating local communities on safety measures to curb the spread of the virus by branding 35 spaza shops across the country with educational murals to convey important messages on personal safety.
“While we know it will take much more to alleviate the stress that many of our compatriots are facing, we hope our contribution will make a small difference to each person who receives the comfort of a helping hand as a result of our efforts,” Hassan added.
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