AngloGold Ashanti, Sasol and Imperial have created a partnership to protect frontline medical staff and patients at four major Gauteng state hospitals by providing bulk supplies of hand sanitizer at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic, Charlotte Maxeke Academic, Helen Joseph and Leratong hospitals.
It is crucial to have enough supplies of hand sanitizer to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in hospitals. The current precautions being taken at all medical facilities and the expected increase in cases in the months ahead will require medical facilities to have more than their usual stock of sanitizer. The partnering companies have worked closely with the dedicated clinical managers at the hospitals to find an innovative way to address the need for sanitizer in a sustainable way.
Sasol has significantly intensified its relief efforts towards COVID-19 by generously agreeing to support the increased production of the hand sanitizer and will share the cost of production with AngloGold Ashanti, which will also provide the specially manufactured bulk-storage tanks for the product. Imperial, which is playing a pivotal role in ensuring South Africa’s supply chains continue to function, has brought its freight and logistics expertise to bear by ensuring that the sanitiser tanks are safely transported from Sasol to the four hospitals in Gauteng. Additional partners will be sought to ensure this project is not only sustainable but could perhaps be extended to other facilities.
Until there is a vaccine for COVID-19, general hand hygiene remains an effective line of defense. Experience from around the world has shown that partnerships are an effective way to increase the impact of relief efforts.
“We’re proud to join hands with our peers at Sasol and Imperial in this crucial effort toward our collective goal of flattening and eventually bending the curve,” Dr. Bafedile Chauke, AngloGold Ashanti Vice President: Health, says. “A partnership that brings together not only capital, but complementary assets and skill sets will be vital to changing the course of this pandemic.”
As the number of positive Covid-19 cases continue to rise in South Africa, hospitals across the country anticipate a huge influx of patients in the coming weeks. In addition to normal, extensive use of sanitizer in hospitals, all staff and patients will be screened before entering hospitals and will need to sanitize their hands before entering, compounding the existing shortage of the product.
Says Thabiet Booley, Senior Vice President of Sasol’s Base Chemicals division: “Sasol recognises its duty and responsibility to support our fenceline communities and society at large in these challenging and uncertain times. Through our strategic partnership with AngloGold Ashanti and Imperial, we are pleased that our internally produced sanitisers will provide these hospitals with hand disinfection hygiene support to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading to frontline medical staff, patients and visitors.”
“We are united in the mission to keep those at the frontline of this battle safe from infection,” adds Imperial Group CEO, Mohammed Akoojee. “We are honoured and humbled to play a part in delivering much-needed goods and some peace of mind in these highly uncertain times.”
About AngloGold Ashanti
AngloGold Ashanti remains in a state of high-alert and preparedness to deal with the global challenge presented by the COVID-19 outbreak. The Company has created heightened awareness around the COVID-19 virus and steps to prevent its spread, stepped up screening and surveillance of employees, banned non-essential travel, instituted clear self-quarantine measures where applicable and increased hygiene awareness and facilities across its operations, in addition to a range of other measures taken to mitigate the risks presented by the virus.
AngloGold Ashanti is continually monitoring the situation related to the COVID-19 outbreak as it unfolds and remains in close contact with authorities in each country, with our employees and with our key suppliers and other business partners, to help ensure business continuity and mitigate any interruptions that may occur.
For additional information on AngloGold Ashanti’s response to COVID-19, please refer to our website.
About Sasol
Sasol is a global integrated chemicals and energy company. We harness our knowledge and experience to integrate sophisticated technologies and processes into our world-scale operating facilities. We safely and sustainably source, produce and market a range of high-value product streams in 31 countries, creating superior value for our customers, shareholders and other stakeholders.
About Imperial
Imperial is an African and European focused provider of outsourced, integrated freight management, contract logistics and market access services. With 27 000 staff working in 32 countries, our top priority is following regulations and best practice to protect both our people and yours. The work we do is critical to the delivery of food, basic goods, medicine, medical supplies and other essential services and – despite the new challenges every day brings – Imperial is sparing no effort to support supply chains and keep global business moving. For additional information see Google.
