Carson Cumberbatch supports fight against COVID-19

Friday, 19 June 2020 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Business conglomerate Carson Cumberbatch PLC has extended support to Sri Lanka’s healthcare sector over the past few months in its effort to combat and contain the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

The company worked together with the University of Colombo, Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medicine, and Rotary International to enhance capacity for PCR testing and related infrastructure in the country, providing equipment worth more than Rs. 20 million.

The Group commenced its support program in April 2020 by supplying essential reagents to set up and commence COVID-19 PCR testing in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Colombo in collaboration with their Department of Microbiology and Department of Anatomy and Human Genetics Unit.

This equipment contributed in setting up the facility at the university to daily test suspected patients right from a time when Sri Lanka was in the very initial stages of upgrading laboratories to counter the novel Coronavirus.

Further, Carson Cumberbatch recently procured and donated 2,000 PCR test kits to the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medicine at a cost of Rs. 10.5 million. The donated test kits are claimed to be capable of producing results much faster than most PCR kits, which will help take timely actions.

The Group also made a contribution of Rs. 10 million into a project of Rs. 120 million spearheaded by Rotary International District 3220 to source a state-of-the-art fully automated PCR system together with other ancillary equipment such as viral transport mediums, COVID-19 extraction and PCR kits, viral RNA mini kits, bio-safety cabinets, autoclave machines, centrifuge devices, a six-part hematological analyser with an auto-loader, and personal protective gear for the Medical Research Institute (MRI) in Colombo. The project which is nearing completion as of now, was designed specifically around the advanced PCR system to future-proof MRI and Sri Lankan healthcare services arm with the capability to handle challenges even beyond COVID-19.

A representative from the Carson Cumberbatch Group Ajith Weeratunge said: “Sri Lanka serves a fine example, as the Government together with healthcare sector and security forces have contained the spread of Coronavirus within the country exceptionally well. As a responsible corporate citizen, it delights us for being able to contribute to this noble endeavor however modestly as we can.”

Carson Cumberbatch PLC is the holding company of a diverse group of businesses based in Sri Lanka and South and South East Asia that extend across oil palm plantations, beverages, investment holdings, portfolio and asset management, leisure, and real estate sectors.