Pretoria, 6 July 2020 – In just over a month since the last handover to the City of Johannesburg, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in South Africa handed over personal protective equipment (PPE) to the Gauteng Department of Health. Gauteng accounts for a disease burden of 32.2 percent of all COVID-19 cases in South Africa the second highest number of cases after the Western Cape.  “Clearly, this is an unprecedented pandemic that poses a big challenge to the Gauteng Province; one which the Province has met with courage, and the country has responded to with decisive action and bold leadership, ” said Dr. said Dr Ayodele Odusola, Resident Representative of UNDP South Africa during his opening remarks at the handover ceremony.

Gauteng Member of Executive Council (MEC) of health, Dr Bandile Masuku, received a R1,8milion worth consignment including 40,000 surgical masks; 4,000 face shields; 20,000 hair nets; 2,000 surgical goggles; 10,000 sterile gloves; 10,000 disposable overalls; 10,000 disposable aprons; 500 forehead thermometers; 10,000 reusable cloth masks and 2,000 hand sanitisers “The COVID-19 pandemic has given us an opportunity to build good strong partnerships and to look beyond the pandemic and towards the establishment of universal health coverage. This donation is much needed and will go a long way in contributing to our response efforts” said Dr Masuku during his acceptance remarks at the handover ceremony.

This contribution supplements United Nations efforts to support South Africa in responding and recovering from COVID-19. It is also part of a broader partnership that UNDP and the Gauteng Department of Health intend to establish within the framework of the new strategic programme covering the 2020 – 2025 period.

For more information, or media interviews please contact:

United Nations, Rhulani Lehloka: 0663071827/rhulani.lehloka@undp.org  

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