The UK-based AstraZeneca Company has donated 400,000 medical masks to the Ministry of Health to support Vietnam's fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long (second, left) receives
the token of 400,000 medical masks from Nitin Kapoor, Chairman of AstraZeneca
Vietnam (second, right). (Photo courtersy of the British Embassy in Vietnam) 

The handover ceremony on May 19 was attended by Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Health  Nguyen Thanh Long, British Ambassador to Vietnam Gareth Ward, and Head of Trade Promotion, Economic and Political Affairs of the Swedish Embassy in Vietnam Johan Alvin.

“We are touched by the lifesaving work of Vietnamese healthcare workers who have helped British nationals infected by COVID-19 in Vietnam, and continue to be reassured by the collective efforts of the Vietnamese government and people in responding to COVID-19,” Gareth Ward spoke at the event.

“This donation by AstraZeneca is a strong example of how the UK-Vietnam strategic partnership, celebrating this year its 10th anniversary, is driven forward by cross-sector partners, who want to make meaningful and long-lasting contributions to Vietnamese society,” he said.

Nitin Kapoor, Chairman of AstraZeneca Vietnam, said: “AstraZeneca truly appreciates Vietnam’s effective measures in fighting the pandemic.”

The donations aim to enhance the effectiveness of COVID-19 prevention and add on the company’s donation to fund the procurement of specified medical protection equipment for healthcare workers at the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases in March, he said.

Kapoor further noted that by leveraging digital engagement, his firm has connected more than 5,000 Vietnamese healthcare practitioners with global clinical expertise to equip them with the latest knowledge on COVID-19 as they continue to care for especially vulnerable patients with diseases such as asthma, diabetes and cancer.

AstraZeneca, a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company, has deep heritage in both Sweden and the UK, with strategic R&D, manufacturing and commercial operations based in both countries.