PDO donates RO2.3mn for vaccine procurement
Muscat - Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) has donated RO2.3mn to support the Ministry of Health (MoH) in its effort to purchase vaccines against COVID-19.
A cheque for the amount was handed over to H E Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed al Sa’eedi, Minister of Health, by Raoul Restucci, managing director of PDO, on April 22.
On the occasion, H E Dr Sa’eedi said, “We really appreciate PDO’s initiative which is part of a collaboration and partnership between government and private sectors with the aim of serving the public interest. This collaboration is one among many other initiatives by PDO and MoH.
“The ministry encourages such constructive cooperation with private sector institutions; it is an example of the principle of partnership in action to serve Oman and its people.”
On his part, Restucci said, “PDO is truly honoured to work and support the MoH in the true spirit of partnership and thankful for the wonderful support it continues to receive across the full spectrum of our operations. We are firmly committed to assisting the ministry in protecting the health and wellbeing of not only our staff and contractors, but the wider community across Oman.”
He noted that besides strict compliance with face masks and social distancing, one of the most fundamental enablers to reopening the economy and returning back to normal is linked to the speed of vaccine deployment. “This is now one of the top priorities to combat this terrible disease which has devastated the lives of many, and we commend the MoH for its unreserved efforts to secure vaccines from approved supply sources.”
This donation is part of PDO’s ongoing efforts and support to help combat the coronavirus. Last year, PDO donated RO500,000 to the Endowment Fund to support medical services and provided more than RO3mn in essential supplies, personal protective equipment and testing devices.
The company assisted in the preparation, establishment and refurbishment of a field hospital at the site of the earlier airport in Seeb, which is currently being used to almost full capacity.