The Rinat Akhmetov Foundation's assistance is already in Mariupol: 15,000 rapid tests to detect coronavirus have arrived in the city

Today, medical workers of Donetsk Region received 50,000 rapid tests from the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation to detect COVID-19 coronavirus. 15,000 of these have already arrived in Mariupol. The transfer of tests took place at Mariupol Primary Health Care Center No. 1. Then they will be distributed to public hospitals in Mariupol, as well as to surrounding cities and districts.

According to the mayor of Mariupol, Vadym Boichenko, the city has systematically approached the fight against the coronavirus epidemic: a clear algorithm of actions has been developed to prevent the spread of virus.

"The Mariupol positions are strengthened by knowing that we have reliable friends in this fight. The Rinat Akhmetov Foundation is such a friend who always comes to the rescue.  Owing to rapid tests, our doctors will be able to diagnose patients faster. This will provide for the right treatment strategy chosen at an early stage.  I express gratitude to the Foundation and its founder Rinat Akhmetov for their constant assistance to Mariupol residents," Vadym Boichenko said.

Natalia Yemchenko, a member of the Supervisory Board of the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation, expressed confidence that rapid tests will help stop the spread of COVID-19 in Donbass:

"As international experience shows, reducing the infection circle is one of the most effective measures in the fight against coronavirus. The tests are highly accurate and will help doctors determine the patient's status just in 15 minutes, which will quickly stop the virus from spreading. The Rinat Akhmetov Foundation sends such rapid tests to the regions almost every day.

Ksenia Sukhova, Deputy Mayor of Mariupol, told about why it is so important to do rapid tests.

 "The tests passed on today by the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation are very important. Mariupol is the southern base of Donetsk Region for hospitalization of both suspected patients and confirmed ones diagnosed with coronavirus. Rapid diagnostics, which can be performed using rapid tests, will help to break the chain of contacts and thus stop the spread of epidemic. Therefore, the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation's assistanse is so crucial for patients, doctors, for Mariupol, and residents of the entire southern part of Donetsk Region, " Ksenia Sukhova said.

Rinat Akhmetov sent 300 million UAH to fight COVID-19. To help Ukraine, he combined all the resources: the Charitable Foundation, FC Shakhtar, DTEK, Metinvest and other SCM assets.

Back in February, Rinat Akhmetov was the first in the country who gave directions to the Foundation to respond to the global threat of a coronavirus epidemic. The equipment to effectively treat the complications caused by COVID-19 – the Swedish SERVO-I UNIVERSAL and SERVO AIR high-end ventilators and oxygen concentrators – has already been purchased and transferred to the Ministry of Health.

In particular, ventilators from the Foundation have been installed in the Poltava Regional Infectious Diseases Hospital, Rivne Central City Hospital and Zakarpattia Regional Hospital. The named hospitals in Poltava and Rivne also have oxygen concentrators for ventilators installed. A separate concentrator from the Foundation was delivered to the Volyn Regional Infectious Diseases Hospital. The number of medical facilities that have already received equipment from the Foundation was determined by the Ministry of Health of Ukraine.

 The Foundation also purchased personal protective equipment for Ukrainian doctors: EgoZlin biobag EBV – a unique insulating mobile box to transport infectious patients; EOBO-20 EgoZlin – a protective biological and anti-chemical suit with filter and ventilation set; anti-chemical disposable overalls; infrared thermometers with a laser pointer; multilayer respirators;  protective masks and goggles.  

  Another 22 ventilators were installed in neonatal ambulances and transferred by the Foundation to all regions of the country as part of the “200 ambulances for Ukraine” project. 

The Rinat Akhmetov Foundation is also purchasing coronavirus sample analyzers with test cartridges for them.

In partnership with the Ministry of Digital Development, the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation created educational TV-series for teachers (“Quarantine: Online Services for Teachers”) and schoolchildren (“Digital Physical Education for Schoolchildren with Sport Stars”).  The video courses are posted on the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation's Facebook page and Youtube channel.

Jointly with TRK Ukraina, the Foundation created social videos urging older people to comply with the rule of thumb during the quarantine – Stay at Home. The TRK Ukraina TV-presenters and the ambassadors of the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation – Ihor Pupkov, Oleh Paniuta, Hryhorii Herman, Oleksii Sukhanov and the famous journalist Savik Shuster – engage in the videos hag tagged #ParentsATHOME.