Heroes-Aid is arranging for the distribution of approximately 35,000 pieces of PPE to frontline workers at 54 sites around Ireland, including those working in non-governmental organizations.
Heroes-Aid is a voluntary not-for-profit organisation established in the early stage of the Covid-19 pandemic in March to protect and support frontline health care workers and the deliveries will be made during the coming days.
They will deliver 500 face masks and 100 high specification FFP2 face masks to frontline healthcare staff working in Laois.
In total, Heroes-Aid will be delivering 35,000 pieces of PPE, including 27,000 face masks, 1500 visors, 600 gowns, and 5,000 high specification FFP2 face masks to frontline healthcare staff around the country.
Recipients include NGOs such as: Enable Ireland, Safetynet Primary Care, The National Virus Reference Laboratory at UCD, Kerry Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre, Early Intervention services in Galway, and Merchants Quay Ireland.
Mary Leahy, CEO of Heroes-Aid said: “PPE is a vital resource for frontline workers, as it forms the main barrier between healthcare workers and Covid-19.
“We have seen high numbers of cases of Covid-19 in healthcare workers around the country, and it remains a prevalent threat to workers in the sector.
“Unbeknownst to many, NGOs provide drop in healthcare services to vulnerable members of society, including those who cannot present themselves to traditional, mainstream healthcare services.
“It is important that healthcare and social care workers in NGO settings are not overlooked and are fully equipped with PPE in order to care for their patients and clients.”
Dr Maitiú Ó Tuathail, Medical Director of Heroes-Aid said: “We estimate that it costs on average between 13 to 15 Euro to fully outfit a frontline worker in full PPE in an acute healthcare setting.
“A frontline worker will then go through different items of PPE multiple times, every day.
“The health care organisations and frontline workers that are receiving this equipment are carrying out vital work to support their communities and those under their care, and we hope that it will enable them to work comfortably and safely.”
Since it was founded, Heroes-Aid has utilised over €260,000 in donations from members of the public to supply Ireland’s frontline workers with over 500,000 pieces of PPE.
Following this delivery, the organisation will continue to monitor the Covid-19 pandemic situation, with a view to determining how it can best support Ireland’s frontline healthcare heroes moving forward.
The goal of Heroes-Aid is to raise funds to provide practical supports, such as essential PPE and other resources to keep Ireland’s healthcare heroes safe as they care for us.
The voluntary organisation also intends to provide longer-term psychological, educational and practical support for frontline healthcare workers, their children and families who have been negatively impacted by Covid-19.
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