Diageo donates medical devices to support COVID-19 fight in Vietnam

The donation is part of Diageo’s emergency relief package of medical devices for COVID-19 prevention in Vietnam. The medical devices include 50 oxygen concentrators and 8,000 oximeters valued at approximately VND3billion ($130,430), which have been allocated to help COVID-19 patients in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and the southern province of Ninh Thuan.

Diageo’s donation for emergency relief took place in the context of Vietnam experiencing the worst COVID-19 outbreak so far, caused by the fast-spreading Delta variant. A sharp rise in the number of severe cases over the last few months in Ho Chi Minh City, the epicentre in the country, has lead to great challenged and overloads for the local healthcare system.

Diageo made the donation as Vietnam is experiencing its worst COVID-19 outbreak yet

In response to the urgent need for medical devices for treatment, within the past two weeks, thanks to swift support from the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee, the Ministry of Health, British Embassy, and other related agencies, Diageo Vietnam has been able to bring the equipment to Vietnam and deliver them to medical centres in need.

“As a British business operating in Vietnam, we are proud to join hands and support the local communities in every possible way to protect their well-being and safety, especially during this tough time,” said Nguyen Anh Thi, general manager of Diageo Vietnam. “As part of our COVID-19 Readiness Plan to ensure safety for our own people, I am very pleased that Diageo could extend support to the communities in Vietnam by donating these medical devices to meet the increasing demand for treatment of COVID-19 patients. We strongly believe in the determination of the Vietnamese government, people, and businesses to overcome this challenging time.”

Vo Van Thien, head of Southern Office of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee said, “We highly appreciate the timely support of Diageo in this challenging period. We are coordinating with the Ministry of Health and local authorities to bring these medical devices to the places that need them the most, to support treatment and save patients' lives, helping to prevent further outbreaks and protecting the communities.”

Since the first outbreak in Vietnam last year, Diageo Vietnam has actively supported the Vietnamese government’s pandemic efforts and strictly followed prevention measures.

This March, the company contributed another VND3billion to the COVID-19 vaccine fundraising organised by Tuoi Tre newspaper to help frontline people get vaccination.

Last June, Diageo Vietnam partnered with the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee to present the Ministry of Health with 18,600 bottles of hand sanitiser worth VND670 million ($29,130), alongside its campaign “Clean Serve by Diageo” which provided sanitising kits and guidelines for more than 315 bars and clubs across the country.