United Bank for Africa (UBA) has announced that it will provide N5 billion as a relief support across Africa through the UBA Foundation, to catalyse a comprehensive pan-African response to the fight against the coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic.
The bank in a statement issued yesterday said the donation will provide significant and much needed support to Nigeria and 19 other African countries, by supplying relief materials, critical care facilities, and financial support to governments.
According to the statement, Lagos state will be getting N1 billion from the fund while Abuja will be getting N500 million. Both Lagos and Abuja have recorded the most cases of the coronavirus infection as the number of cases in the country rise above 50.
Also, N1 billion of the fund was allocated to the remaining 35 states in Nigeria as N1.5 billion was allocated to UBA’s presence countries in Africa. Medical centres with equipment and supplies as well as free telemedicine call centre facility will also get N1 billion of the fund.
The bank said it will fund a medical centre immediately in Lagos, Nigeria, with beds for isolation and ICU facilities, managed and operated in partnership with Heirs Holdings’ healthcare subsidiary, Avon Medical Hospital.
In addition, UBA said it will be providing a free telemedicine platform, that is physician-led, to provide direct access to medical advice to citizens, in compliance with social distancing requirements.
Commenting, UBA Group Chairman Tony Elumelu, said “this is a time when we must all play our part. This global pandemic must bring citizens, governments and business leaders together – and quickly. As we see a rapidly increasing number of cases of the coronavirus in Nigeria and Africa, the private sector has to work hand in hand with various Governments, in stemming the spread of the global pandemic.
“We commend the efforts of governments and we are keen to partner and contribute our resources to the collective effort, that will ensure the response to the pandemic is swift and effective.”
Operating in 20 African countries and globally in the United Kingdom, the United States and France, the United Bank for Africa has a strong record of supporting its communities, through challenging times.