CIOG donates over 200,000 facemasks in fight against COVID-19
With the aim of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) on Wednesday donated 200,000 facemasks for distribution to several Government Ministries.
From L-R: CIOG President (ag), Goolzar Namdar; Sheikh Moeen ul Hack; Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony, Human Services and Social Security Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud, CIOG General Manager Shameena Haniff-Najab; and Director of the National COVID-19 Task Force, Colonel Nazrul Hussain
These masks will be distributed to the Health, Education, and Human Services and Social Security Ministries.
In brief remarks, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony expressed Government’s gratitude to the CIOG, and noted that acquiring personal protective equipment (PPE) has been challenging during the pandemic.
Some of the masks that were handed over on Wednesday
“We are grateful from the inception that the CIOG has been partnering with us and has made several donations to the most vulnerable persons in our population… This gesture of goodwill in our time of need will certainly go a far way in this pandemic,” Dr Anthony said.
Human Services Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud echoed similar sentiments, while noting that her Ministry deals with the country’s vulnerable population, and the masks would provide much-needed protection during the pandemic.
“I want to thank the CIOG for ensuring this can happen, and (for) allowing the people to benefit, because the risk of exposure is a great one, and masking is a layer of protection that is needed,” she said.
The CIOG views the donation as part of its civic duty and religious responsibility. Acting President of the organisation, Goolzar Namdar, has said the contribution is not a one-off initiative.
“We are not finished here; we will continue on the regional level. We will look at the temples, mosques, churches, Policemen, and every area we see fit to distribute masks,” Namdar promised.
The donation was facilitated by businessman Asad-Al-Sanad of Al-Sanad Holdings in Kuwait. The arrangement was brokered through the Guyana Embassy in Kuwait.
