ACT Foundation launches a new COVID-19 response initiative to provide PPE to frontline medical workers in Nigeria. This was made possible with the financial support provided by Novartis through its Nigeria office.

PRESS RELEASE FOR THE NOVARTIS GRANT

The COVID-19 global pandemic has highlighted the inadequacies of health care systems around the world. Countries have been faced with a shortage of necessary protective equipment, putting an additional toll on health care workers at the front lines, and increasing their risk of contracting the virus. In developing countries where there is insufficient health infrastructure, heath care workers are at an even higher risk Unfortunately, these shortages in protection for medical personnel adversely affects patients as well. In Nigeria, due to the increasing rates of infection amongst healthcare workers, many are hesitant to meet with patients, leading to lower diagnosis and testing rates, and ultimately more lives lost. This means that the provision of PPE to healthcare workers in Nigeria is paramount for the successful fight against COVID-19.

As a direct response to the lack of access to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for frontline workers, ACT Foundation is pleased to announce the COVID-19 response intervention. This intervention is made possible with the support of Novartis through it Nigeria office

The response intervention aims to provide support for the various emergency activities in Nigeria against the spread of COVID-19 pandemic through:

1. Distrisbution of face masks, face shields and latex disposable gloves.
2. Collaboration with medical personnel in beneficiary states.
3. A training documentary to be made available for distribution to beneficiary centers.
4. Information pamphlets to provide information on prevention of spread of the COVID19.

The distribution of PPE will be focused on three (3) hotbed states – Lagos, Kano and Edo, and will be facilitated by our partners at Girlsaide Initiative, a local nonprofit committed to health education and empowerment. Lagos State, the epicenter of the virus in Nigeria will be given top priority.

(L-R) Dr. Abosede Lewu (Executive Director, Girslaide Initiative), Bruno Akpaibor (Cluster Head, Ethics Risk & Compliance, Novartis), Osayi Alile (Chief Executive Officer, ACT Foundation), Ogonna Oraegbunam (Cluster Head, Patient Access & Public Affairs, English West Africa, Novartis), Ndifreke Okwuegbunam (Director of Grants and Programs, ACT Foundation) at the launch of the Novartis-ACT Foundation COVID-19 Response Initiative at the ACT Foundation Office in Lagos.

About The Organisations Aspire Coronation Trust (ACT) Foundation is a non-profit, grant making organization that supports local, national and regional non – profit organizations working to address challenges and associated vulnerabilities across the African Continent.
The Foundation aims to leverage relationships to create effective social impact solutions across Africa, and to build sustainable societies by engaging initiatives that unleashes potential and empowers beneficiaries. ACT Foundation focuses on the areas of Health, Environment, Entrepreneurship and Leadership.
Girlsaide Initiative

is a nonprofit organization founded in 2015. Committed to empowering and supporting girls, women, young people and members of community on information, education, health and skill set as it relates to them, and providing human capacity development to achieve and fulfil their potentials.

About Novartis

Novartis is reimagining medicine to improve and extend people’s lives. As a leading global medicines company, we use innovative science and digital technologies to create transformative treatments in areas of great medical need. In our quest to find new medicines, we consistently rank among the world’s top companies investing in research and development. Novartis products reach nearly 800 million people globally and we are finding innovative ways to expand access to our latest treatments. About 109,000 people of more than 145 nationalities work at Novartis around the world. Find out more at https://www.novartis.com.