Mozambique: Vale delivers 80,000 tests to support the fight against Covid-19

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Mozambique: Vale delivers 80,000 tests to support the fight against Covid-19

11:31 CAT | 19 Jun 2020

Photo: Supplied

Brazilian mining company Vale has delivered 80,000 rapid Covid-19 diagnostic tests to the Mozambican Ministry of Health (MISAU). The delivery ceremony took place at the Provincial Social Affairs Service premises in the city of Matola, and was attended by Vale representative Wellington Soares and the Secretary of State for Maputo Province, Victória Diogo.

The delivery of the material last Tuesday (16 June) realises the memorandum of understanding that Vale signed with the Mozambican government in April of this year, providing US$2 million in aid to fight the coronavirus pandemic. The MoU provides for the donation of hospital equipment and personal protection materials for health professionals, some already distributed to provinces since April.

Vale representative Wellington Soares stressed that the company, aware of its responsibilities at such a challenging time, had “mobilised itself, from the first hour, to fight the disease, reinforcing control and prevention measures in its units” in order “to protect the lives of its workers and of communities”. Soares also recalled that, in addition to the 80,000 tests delivered on Tuesday, “the humanitarian aid that Vale is giving to Mozambique, in the amount of US$2 million, consists of public hygiene materials, hospital equipment and protection” designed to support health authorities in the fight against Covid-19.

Since the novel coronavirus outbreak began, Vale has proactively adopted preventative measures to ensure the safety of its employees and of the communities where it operates, carefully following the evolution of the pandemic in Mozambique and worldwide. The company has been carrying out a series of actions to mitigate the effects of Covid-19 in line with World Health Organization recommendations with regard to mass testing, allowing the speedy identification of people who have had contact with the virus but are nevertheless asymptomatic. The mapping of these people through the screening process allows for the adoption of measures such as quarantining and immediate medical attention.

Even before Covid-19 cases were reported in Mozambique, Vale was implementing preventative and safety measures, with home working for administrative functions and the reduction of workforce deployment to essential activities only. It cancelled all non-essential trips and reinforced hygiene and safety procedures, furloughing workers over 60 and those with chronic diseases. Social distancing measures were also implemented, such as increasing the bus fleet to allow for reduced capacity and social distancing in cafeterias.

By following WHO protocols and taking appropriate measures, Vale is putting life first, and contributing to the control of the new coronavirus in the regions where it operates.

Source: Vale Moçambique / Press Release