Diesel bakkies on loan to support health services, transport PPE

Isuzu Motors South Africa has made more bakkies available to assist in containing the spread of Covid-19 infections in the country.

The University of Pretoria’s faculty of health sciences has accepted delivery of 15 Isuzu D-MAX diesel bakkies which will be used to assist with the transportation of personal protective equipment (PPE) and medical supplies to support community health workers in responding to the pandemic.

This intervention was facilitated by WesBank and supported by FirstRand’s SA Pandemic Intervention and Relief Effort (Spire) initiative.

The bakkies would normally have been used for marketing and promotions, however due to the pandemic and lockdown period, the bakkies were idle, Craig Uren, Isuzu’s Senior Vice-President for Vehicles, Sales, Service and Marketing, said.

“We are very pleased that these vehicles can be used by the university to undertake its critically important and value-adding work. We pride ourselves in providing transport solutions and being a trusted partner in getting a job done and more so, to be a beneficial partner during times of crises and disaster,” Uren said.

A few weeks ago Isuzu also made its press test fleet available to humanitarian relief organisation Gift of the Givers to support its Covid-19 intervention initiatives.

“During this time of crisis, it is important that we all rally together to do what’s in the best interests of the country and our people,” Uren said.

Prof Jannie Hugo, head of family medicine, said the partnership with Isuzu would allow mobile versatility to ensure effective intervention across all communities.

The faculty of health sciences is involved in about 30 projects to support Covid-19 efforts.

Faculty dean Prof Tiaan de Jager said of the Isuzu partnership: “It is through these collaborative efforts that we can help and support communities.”