COVID-19: FG receives 800,000 hygiene products, PPEs

The Federal Government has received 800,000 units of hygiene products from RB Nigeria, makers of Dettol, and Jik.

Donated items to the Federal Ministry of Health were hygiene products such as Antiseptic Disinfectants, Dettol soaps, Jik bleach, full Personal Protective Equipment’s (PPE), and 100 mobile hand wash units to be installed at locations advised by the ministry of health.

The products which are worth N65 million is part of the organization’s contribution to the government’s drive to combat the raging and deadly COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

It is also part of its global project ‘Fight for Access Fund’, which aims to improve access to health, hygiene, and nutrition for all.

According to the Johns Hopkins COVID-19 dashboard, as of Sunday 12, June 2020, Nigeria is the 2nd country in Africa with the most infected number of Nationals, and as the number of cases continues to rise in Nigeria, there is a need for more hygiene products for use in homes, hospitals and public places.

The Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, on receiving the items in Abuja, said: “You have been in business for five decades, which tells us you know the health history of Nigeria.

“The need for hygiene cannot now be any more emphasized. What you have brought here will go a long way. We will distribute it to our agencies. We’ll take an inventory of all of it and declare it to the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19.”

Commenting on the donation, Mr. Dayanand Sriram, The General Manager, RB Nigeria Health, said; “RB’s purpose is to protect, heal and nurture in the relentless pursuit of a cleaner, healthier world.

“We are delighted to support the Federal Ministry of Health and also to play our part in stemming the effects of the pandemic in Nigeria.

We will continue to support the Federal and State Governments, as well as the health authorities’ efforts in the fight against COVID-19.

“We have a critical role to play in promoting hygiene, and Dettol has been supporting the Government’s effort through its School Hygiene and New Mum’s education programs over the past 7 years.”

Also speaking on this, the Country Manager, RB Hygiene West Africa, Mr. Asif Hashimi said, “For decades, Jik has been a popular feature in Nigerian homes and hospitals and known for very effective surface cleaning and laundry for up to 99.9 percent germ-kill.

“This is a critical time, and this contribution is in line with Jik’s long term mission of helping Nigerian households maintain good hygiene and a clean environment that helps to curb the spread of infectious diseases caused by germs.”