United Bank for Africa, Announces US$14 Million Relief Support Across Africa

By Richard Adorsu-

Photo Credit: Ubagroup

NEW AFRICA BUSINESS NEWS (NABN) Accra, Ghana- United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA) has announced a donation of over US$14 million through the UBA Foundation, to a comprehensive Pan-African response to the fight against the Coronavirus (COVID- 19) pandemic.

The donation will provide significant and much-needed support to Nigeria and 19 other African countries. A statement issued in Accra by the Bank said the donation would go to supplying relief materials, critical care facilities, and financial support to Governments.

The UBA support programme will be allocated as follows: US$2.8 million to Lagos State Government in Nigeria, US$1.4 million to Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and US$2.8 million to the remaining 35 states in Nigeria.

The rest are US$4.2 million to UBA’s presence countries in Africa, US$2.8 million for Medical Centres with equipment and supplies and a Free Telemedicine call centre facility.

The pan-African bank 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 is providing a free telemedicine platform, that is physician-led, to provide direct access to medical advice to citizens, in compliance with social distancing requirements.

Mr. Tony O. Elumelu, UBA Group Chairman said ‘this is a time when we must all play our part.’ He said this global epidemic must bring citizens, governments and business leaders together and quickly.

He said “As we see a rapidly increasing number of cases of the COVID-19 in Nigeria and Africa, the private sector has to work hand in hand with various Governments, in stemming the spread of the global pandemic,” he added.

The Group CEO commended the efforts of governments and said ‘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.

Current Outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19) Disease- Coronavirus advisory information, World Health Organization & United States, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans.

Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between animals and people.  Detailed investigations found that SARS-CoV was transmitted from civet cats to humans and MERS-CoV from dromedary camels to humans. Several known coronaviruses are circulating in animals that have not yet infected humans.

Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.

Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs. Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing. Source- WHO

who.int/emergencies

Coronavirus Q&A, World Health Organization

who.int/news-room

Coronavirus condition overview, World Health Organization

who.int/health-topics

United States, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov