Hyundai Automotive South Africa and the Hyundai Motor Company have donated 10 000 face masks, 7 000 bottles of hand sanitizer and 3 000 sets of protective clothing to the Helen Joseph Hospital in Johannesburg to assist them with the treatment of Covid-19 patients.

The donation forms part of Hyundai Automotive SA’s contribution to the nationwide drive to treat, contain and eradicate Covid-19 infections, and of the Hyundai Motor Company’s global effort to assist health and community organisations in the fight against the virus.

“It is very satisfying to deliver a contribution to South African health workers to help them in their high-risk work to treat our fellow citizens who have been infected with Covid-19. Their safety and health on the frontline of this pandemic is important to us – they are life-savers who are exposing themselves to big risks,” said Niall Lynch, CEO of Hyundai Automotive SA, at the handover of the personal protective equipment at the Helen Joseph Hospital.

“This contribution of personal protective equipment follows Hyundai Automotive SA’s donation of eight vehicles in May this year to Gift of the Givers and FoodForward SA to assist them in the distribution of food parcels and other essential material in communities that are suffering due to the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Lynch.

The personal protective equipment was received by Dr Jay Punwasi, clinical manager, and Dr Anita Graham, pulmonologist and Covid-19 clinical team leader at the Helen Joseph Hospital.

Earlier this year, five H100 trucks (also called the “Bakkie”), one H-1 Bus and two Grand i10 Cargo panel vans – were donated by Hyundai Automotive SA to Gift of the Givers and FoodForward South Africa. The organisations use the vehicles in their drive to get food to communities where families have no income and suffer from a severe food shortage.

“The donation of the personal protective equipment and the vehicles form part of the Hyundai Motor Company’s global drive to improve and protect the lives of people who are affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The Hyundai Motor Company is also working closely with governments all over the world to support communities that have been hit hardest by the pandemic in the form of donations, medical equipment and personal protection items,” said Lynch.