Providing medical equipment, medications, and personal protective equipment (PPE) is a growing challenge facing different countries right now in the fight against the coronavirus.
The UK’s NHS is no exception.
At such a difficult time, a British Muslim businessman has donated £200,000 to NHS, launching an appeal to raise £1 million.
Businessman Yousuf Bhaliok pledged the amount to help provide food and essential equipment to NHS staff during the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak.
Karen Partington, the chief executive at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are so grateful to Mr. Bhailok and the wider Muslim community in Preston for their generosity and support in setting up this funding drive,” Chorley Guardian reported.
“These donations and offers of help will go a very long way in ensuring our staff are able to continue providing outstanding care during this challenging time.
“We are overwhelmed by the target, the ambition, and the kindness shown by everyone involved, and their help is truly invaluable.”
Bhaliok pledged £100,000, in addition to another private donation of £100,000, in a video he posted on Facebook on Saturday.
He added that he would also make his BHS store in Fishergate available for storing, collecting, and distributing food and equipment.
In a second video, he encouraged others to join his pledge as he aims to raise £1,000,000 to support NHS.
“What I saw in the media was a tremendous effort worldwide made by the doctors, nurses and front line staff.
“Our government is doing everything it can to provide them with resources but locally we must do what we can and give them the discretion to get whatever they need.
“So let’s show our support to them by donating whatever we can – even £1 will show them we support them locally.”
Sacrifices
The coronavirus that started in Wuhan, China, late last year, has spread to at least 154 countries and killed thousands.
Medical teams across the world have been exerting great efforts over the past weeks to deal with the increasing infections of coronavirus.
A Pakistani Muslim doctor lost his life while fighting the coronavirus. The doctor lost his life while treating coronavirus patients though there was no PPE.
In the UK, a Walsall Muslim nurse, who has dedicated her life to caring for others, is currently fighting for her own life after contracting coronavirus.
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared on March 11, the outbreak of COVID-19 a pandemic.
The virus has infected 372,757 and killed other 16,231, according to the World Health Organization’s latest estimates on March 24.