Giving COVID patients a breath of fresh air
The fourth outbreak, the strongest ever, has caused heavy losses to Ho Chi Minh City and the southern provinces. In the “most severe moment in the history of the health sector” – as commented by Mr. Tang Chi Thuong, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health – there was a time when the hospital system at all levels was overloaded with human and material resources.
As a unit that has always accompanied and actively participated in Vietnam's anti-epidemic efforts over the past 2 years, Diageo Vietnam (DVL) - a company operating in the alcoholic beverage industry, understands that: "Adding oxygen is adding breath, a precious life source for patients who are fighting death every minute and every second". Accurately measuring blood oxygen levels helps doctors closely monitor the progression of the disease, thereby reducing the number of severe cases.
Therefore, DVL has made a lightning-fast import trip from Europe to Asia of many practical medical equipment, including: 50 oxygen generators, 8,000 blood oxygen concentration meters. Although this method is much more difficult than donating money, the medical equipment will quickly reach the places where it is most needed. Timely treatment of thousands of patients in critical condition.
DVL business representatives personally delivered COVID medical examination and treatment facilities in 6 districts of Ho Chi Minh City on August 16, 2021 as well as many other localities such as Hanoi Capital and Ninh Thuan City.
Diageo Vietnam donates medical equipment to support Covid-19 prevention and control in Vietnam
50 oxygen generators were urgently shipped from the UK to Vietnam to donate to medical facilities.
This medical equipment package worth more than 3 billion VND has actively supported at the time when the COVID-19 epidemic had the most complicated changes. Mr. Nguyen Anh Thi - General Director of DVL - shared: "Every contribution is meaningful and valuable, but it will be best when it is at the right time and reaches the right people in need. That is the reason we chose the difficult path: importing medical equipment ourselves to support COVID treatment facilities in 3 large cities and provinces, heavily affected by the epidemic".
Two years of DVL sharing hardships, accompanying Vietnam in fighting the epidemic
Despite being one of the most heavily affected business sectors, for two consecutive years, DVL has still contributed nearly 8 billion VND to many diverse activities, helping to repel the pandemic.
In June 2020, DVL launched the “Clean Serve by Diageo” campaign, providing hand sanitizer kits and hygiene instructions to 315 partners at bars and points of sale nationwide. This campaign aims to protect the health of DVL customers and partners. Thereby contributing to ensuring community safety against the epidemic. At the same time, DVL donated 18,600 bottles of hand sanitizer worth 670 million VND to the Ministry of Health.
In March 2021, DVL was the first foreign enterprise to respond to the call of Tuoi Tre newspaper, contributing 3 billion to the program "Together with Tuoi Tre to contribute COVID-19 vaccines", with the desire to protect frontline forces, increase Vietnam's access to vaccines, and join hands to fight against COVID-19.
A representative of Diageo Vietnam donated 3 billion VND to the program "Together with Tuoi Tre to contribute Covid-19 vaccines" at the Tuoi Tre newspaper office on March 4. Photo: Nguyen Vu.
By August - September 2021, when the epidemic became complicated in Ho Chi Minh City, the staff working at DVL were protected by many specific measures such as: Providing online medical examination and treatment packages; supporting safe quarantine locations for employees and their families; preparing oxygen generators and blood oxygen concentration meters for employees and their families to use in case of emergency... In addition, the company has sent medicines and health care products during the epidemic season to all employees as well as business partners nationwide...
Mr. Nguyen Anh Thi said: “As a British company operating in Vietnam, we highly appreciate the efforts of the government and organizations from central to local levels to fight the pandemic. Diageo Vietnam is proud to accompany and support the community, to ensure the health and safety of the people and contribute to repelling the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Choosing the slogan "Honoring life every day, everywhere" as the development orientation, the parallel actions of supporting the community and the business throughout the COVID-19 pandemic are practical actions and contributions that DVL has made to fulfill its commitment to care for and support the Vietnamese community.
At the same time, DVL has always actively implemented its social responsibility commitment in accordance with the group's 2030 action plan (Diageo in Society 2030). In 2021, DVL launched the campaign "responsible courage, never stop moving forward" with the DRINKiQ challenge (a collection of online multiple choice questions), reaching millions of young Vietnamese people, educating young people about responsible drinking. This campaign has also successfully inspired 20 countries around the world.
DVL also continuously creates opportunities for students in the food, beverage, tourism and hospitality industries to gain practical experience through internships, thereby supporting the F&B industry to recover after the pandemic, through providing additional human resources to support points of sale. With these positive actions, DVL believes that it will join Vietnam in overcoming all obstacles to reach a bright future ahead.
