28 Jun 2021
Naspers's Prosus and partners provide over 800 ventilators for COVID-19 relief efforts in India
As part of a collaborative effort, over 800 ventilators are being made available to public hospitals in regions of India most affected by COVID-19
- As part of a collaborative effort, over 800 ventilators are being made available to public hospitals in regions of India most affected by COVID-19
- Philips India will provide the requisite training, installation, and service support to hospitals and doctors in a safe and effective manner
New Delhi, India – Prosus, Philips Foundation, Johnson Foundation and the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies have joined forces to provide more than 800 ventilators to Indian public hospitals in regions most impacted by COVID-19. The ventilators will enable public hospitals to respond to the acute need for critical medical equipment, assist frontline healthcare workers to provide COVID-19 patients in respiratory distress with non-invasive and invasive ventilation and help prevent loss of precious lives, now and in the future. The Indian Red Cross, designated by the Indian government for on-the-ground support, will be the receiving party of the donation.
Philips India will provide the requisite training, installation, and service support to ensure that the equipment is quickly and effectively deployed.
To help combat the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in India, Philips Foundation formed a coalition with Prosus, Johnson Foundation and the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies; all organisations have provided significant financial support to the effort.
“We learned from the Indian government and Red Cross that the number of COVID-19 patients requiring hospitalisation and critical care had led to a shortage of respiratory support equipment,” said Margot Cooijmans, Director of Philips Foundation. “That is why the Philips Foundation and its partners have come together to help meet this urgent public health need in the most underserved areas of India.”
Sehraj Singh, India Managing Director and Head of Corporate Affairs at Prosus, said: “Prosus is deeply committed to supporting India’s relief efforts and the well-being of her people through this pandemic. Last year we contributed INR 100 crore to the Indian government’s response to the crisis. The second wave has been quite difficult for the country and brought the need for essential healthcare technology to the fore. Prosus is grateful to partner with the Phillips Foundation to continue to support India’s fight against COVID-19.”
Daniel Mazon, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Philips Indian Subcontinent, added: “Amid these challenging times for the country, we are pleased to join forces with Philips Foundation, Prosus, Johnson Foundation and the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies in collaboration with Indian Red Cross and the Government of India to provide 800 ventilators to strengthen public health facilities in the country. Committed to improving people’s lives, we are providing training, installation, and service support to hospitals and front-line healthcare workers, thereby supporting them in their fight against COVID-19. We are hopeful that this contribution will provide help and improve existing facilities for the shortage of critical equipment beyond the COVID-19 crisis. We will continue to actively engage in the fight against COVID-19."
For further information, please contact:
Sarah Ryan
Prosus Media Relations
Tel: +31 6 29721038
E-mail: [email protected]
Yannick Eshuijs
Philips Foundation
Tel.: +31 6 1852 6633
E-mail: [email protected]
About Naspers
Established in 1915, Naspers has transformed itself to become a global consumer internet company and one of the largest technology investors in the world. Through Prosus, the group operates and invests globally in markets with long-term growth potential, building leading consumer internet companies that empower people and enrich communities. Prosus has its primary listing on Euronext Amsterdam, and a secondary listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and Naspers is the majority owner of Prosus.
In South Africa, Naspers is one of the foremost investors in the technology sector and is committed to building its internet and ecommerce companies. These include Takealot, Mr D Food, Superbalist, Autotrader, Property24 and PayU, in addition to Media24, South Africa’s leading print and digital media business.
Naspers has a primary listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (NPN.SJ), a secondary listing on the A2X Exchange (NPN.AJ) in South Africa, and has a level 1 American Depository Receipt (ADR) programme which trades on an over-the-counter basis in the United States of America.
For more information, please visit www.naspers.com.
Naspers Labs
In 2019, Naspers Labs, a youth development programme designed to transform and launch South Africa’s unemployed youth into economic activity, was launched. Naspers Labs focuses on digital skills and training, enabling young people to pursue tech careers.
Response to COVID-19
Naspers contributed R1.5 billion of emergency aid to support the South African government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This contribution consisted of R500 million towards the Solidarity Fund and R1 billion worth of PPE sourced and distributed to South Africa’s front-line healthcare workers. In addition, Naspers contributed R6.9 million to the Nelson Mandela Foundation's EachOne FeedOne programme to support families who COVID-19 has impacted with meals for a year.