The outbreak of Covid-19 around the country has created a greater need for personal protective equipment (PPE) in the healthcare industry. It is for this reason that the Business for SA’s Public Health Workgroup is calling on all companies, especially those in lockdown, to urgently divert their stocks of personal protective equipment including masks and gloves, amongst others, to protect frontline doctors and healthcare workers in their fight against the pandemic.
Business for SA’s Public Health Workgroup’s Stavros Nicolaou said that throughout South Africa there are storerooms of PPE that could be used as part of the emergency response. This includes stocks that are held by companies in the manufacturing, forestry and agriculture, construction, mills, spray painting, mining and signwriting industries, amongst others.
“Besides this urgent call to companies, the workgroup is driving efforts to boost local manufacturing and production where possible, and also expanding the sourcing from global suppliers. Securing stocks from companies that already have these available, especially those that are not currently using them, will provide much needed immediate assistance,” stated Nicolaou.
The list of PPE required include the following:
- Masks (N95 Grade)
- Surgical masks
- Latex-free gloves (do not need to be sterile); preferably nitrile
- Plastic aprons
- Visors and goggles for eye protection
- Gowns and suits
Company owners, store keepers, supervisors, operators, and especially occupational health and HSE managers, who have access to PPE stocks, are requested to contact the team with the following information:
- What stocks do you have?
- How many units of each?
- Which manufacturer’s brand?
- Where are they (i.e. where in SA)?
- Are they sterile or non-sterile? (will be sterilised).
Please send the information to: [email protected]
