Banpu Gives Support to Three Southern Border Provinces Amid COVID-19 Crisis, Hands Over Medical Supplies to 19 Hospitals and Survival Bags to Orphans and Those in Need.
In these difficult times during the COVID-19 outbreak, Thai people across the country are facing a variety of challenges and uncertainties, especially those in remote areas such as the three southern border provinces are having it harder than others. As concerns arose among local health care professionals that the shortage of protective gear could put them at risk, Banpu Public Company Limited has responded by providing medical supplies, i.e. 5,700 sets of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE coverall) and N95 face masks, to 19 district hospitals in the three southern border provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala. The Company has also delivered 500 bags of relief supplies, consisting of rice, dried food and essential commodities, to the Amir Al-Mu’minin Foundation the Orphans of Southern Thailand for distribution to orphans and families affected by the pandemic, in total of all supports and donation stuff worth over THB 4 million.
Banpu stands by you.
Ms. Somruedee Chaimongkol, Chief Executive Officer of Banpu Public Company Limited, said, “Banpu is committed to contributing to Thai society and people. Although most of our businesses operate overseas, we as a Thai company, we promptly step in to help fellow Thais who are experiencing hardship during this period. With our contribution of THB 250 million, Banpu established ‘Mitr Phol-Banpu Solidarity to Aid Thailand on COVID-19 Confrontation Endowment,’ in which the total of THB 500 million fund has been established. Through this initiative, we strive to provide medical personnel nationwide with necessary equipment and supplies for COVID-19 protect and control, as well as support the hospitals’ efforts to maximize capacity and safety for their patients and staff. We started our first mission with the establishment of Banpu Respiratory Care Unit (RCU) and medical equipment donation to Thammasat University Hospital. We aim to distribute medical assistance to hospitals in several provinces, including those in the three southern provinces, as we want to ensure that resources are inclusive in every region and reach those who truly are in need.”
Banpu supports medical heroes in the frontline to fight against COVID-19
Dr. Tossapol Pusaviro, Medical Doctor, Senior Professional Level Doctor at Ra-ngae Hospital in Narathiwat, one of the hospitals that have received PPE kits and N95 face masks from Banpu, said, “The fact that at least 20 sets of PPE uniforms and N95 masks are required for daily use at the hospital and our field work in the communities would have made us short of protective gear in the long run. However, this concern has been resolved by donation from those with greater contributory capacity, including Banpu, and thus allowing us to continue our duties safely and efficiently.”
Mrs. Chuensumon Lekhakul, Registered Nurse, Professional Level, Infection Prevention and Control at Nong Chik Hospital in Pattani added, “Due to the continued threat of the novel coronavirus, our access to protective equipment had become very limited, and at some points we even had to use plastic bags as a protective gear to attend patients. We appreciate Banpu’s efforts in relieving the supply constraint and making us feel at ease when working again. Since Nong Chik Hospital is just a small district hospital, to receive medical equipment donation is such a heartening factor that keeps us motivated and moving.”
“If they didn’t have a mask on, we would be able to see them smiling.”
Mr. Manoon Sanmai, Director of the Amir Al-Mu’minin Foundation the Orphans of Southern Thailand, revealed, “During the COVID-19 situation, many locals couldn’t make a living such as rubber tapping or doing business as usual. The impact is especially severe for those who live in the red zone in lockdown where greater restrictions were enforced. The foundation’s main approach to relief activities is to distribute rice and dried food to those affected. We have been working closely with heads of the villages to identify the number of households and make a visit to them to deliver survival bags accordingly. However, efforts from the foundation alone would not suffice. I am thankful for everyone, including Banpu, who reached out to help the orphans and the underprivileged. I could see from their hopeful eyes when they received the supplies. I’m sure that if they didn’t have a mask on, we would be able to see them smiling.”
Banpu hopes that the aid provided through the initiative will help mitigate potential risks to medical personnel during the COVID-19 crisis as well as alleviate the hardship that people in remote areas are facing, and ultimately help the country and Thai people get through these difficult times together as fast as possible.
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About Banpu
Banpu Public Company Limited is a leading integrated energy solutions company with three core groups of businesses: energy resources, energy generation and energy technology. The company operates internationally in 10 countries, including Thailand, Indonesia, China, Australia, Lao PDR, Mongolia, Singapore, Japan, the United States of America and Vietnam.
