The first ventilators from Polpharma go to 22 hospitals in Poland

Jerzy Starak, together with the Polpharma Group – Poland’s largest drug manufacturer, which is owned by him – are providing systemic assistance to the Polish healthcare system. In order to effectively support the fight against the coronavirus, they have financed the purchase of a hundred ventilators for a total of PLN 7 million. Two out of the three planned shipments of the life-saving equipment have been already delivered to Poland. The machines are now undergoing technical inspections and calibration so that hospitals can use them immediately after delivery. As promised by the sponsors, the ventilators, which are now most urgently needed by Polish hospitals, will be made available to the Ministry of Health. Already this week, the first batch of almost 50 devices will be handed over to hospitals selected by the Ministry.

The health of the Polish people is the prime driver of our work and efforts. Today, when Poland and the world are facing a tough challenge, the only response we can think of is responsibility and solidarity. We direct our assistance to where it is critically important – despite the huge global demand, we have managed to buy a hundred ventilators, the most essential equipment today, which will be delivered to healthcare facilities throughout the country. At the same time, it is Polpharma’s priority to guarantee drug safety for the Poles. Therefore, we are in touch with the government all the time. On behalf of the business community, I would like to express my great respect, admiration, and gratitude for all people fighting for patient safety at the front line: the doctors, nurses, emergency workers, pharmacists, and medical service personnel. You are our heroes. We are joining forces with you in these difficult times. Together with thousands of Polpharma Group employees, we are making every effort to support you – our factories have stepped up their production to ensure that no one runs out of the medicines they need. Living Polpharma’s motto: People Helping People – All hands on deck! said Jerzy Starak when announcing the initiative.

The ventilators will be handed over to hospitals before the projected peak of the disease, which is when the highest demand for such equipment is to be expected. The equipment will go to 22 hospitals throughout Poland, in the Dolnośląskie, Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Lubuskie, Łódzkie, Małopolskie, Mazowieckie, Opolskie, Podkarpackie, Podlaskie, Pomorskie, Śląskie, Świętokrzyskie, Warmińsko-Mazurskie, Wielkopolskie and Zachodniopomorskie provinces. It will be delivered to isolation units, COVID-designated hospitals and other hospitals with the most urgent need, for instance in Wrocław, Radom, Puławy, Łomża, Kielce, Poznań, Gdańsk, Bydgoszcz, Gliwice, Pisz, Wałcz, Jasło, or Kędzierzyn-Koźle. Polpharma’s structures across Poland will make sure that the devices are handed over and safely delivered to medical facilities. Aside from the equipment itself, hospitals will obtain support in staff training on ventilator use, which is crucial when personnel must be moved between wards.

In the face of a global pandemic, the purchase of equipment posed a huge challenge in itself. As part of the project implemented by Polpharma, the company has already managed to sign contracts and pay for the supply of 100 ventilators. The total value of the purchase is about PLN 7 million. The next shipment is expected to arrive in early May and it will also be allocated as told by the Ministry of Health.

Additionally, Polpharma has purchased more than PLN 2.5 million worth of personal protective equipment (masks, visors, gloves, coats) for health care professionals. Other companies owned by Jerzy Starak have also engaged themselves in support for medical services and hospitals. Polpharma Biologics donated protective equipment for doctors of the University Clinical Centre in Gdańsk. In a joint initiative by Polpharma, Herbapol Lublin and Belvedere Catering by Design restaurant, almost 40,000 meals with juice and tea will be distributed to Warsaw hospitals and ambulance stations over the next months.