Picture Courtesy: Bhutan Foundation’s Facebook page
The Ministry of Health received 200,000 non-medical face masks from the Bhutan Foundation for distribution to vulnerable communities, including the elderly population and pregnant women, to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
According to a press release from the foundation, the donation is part of the ongoing “Bhutan Emergency COVID-19 Response and Health System Preparedness” activity supported by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), a U.S. Government agency, which leads international development and humanitarian efforts in over 100 countries to save lives, reduce poverty, strengthen democratic governance and help people progress beyond assistance.
The three-layered non-medical face masks were produced by the Tarayana Foundation in partnership with the Bhutan Network for Empowering Women and SAARC Business Association of Home-based workers. Made by home-based women workers, thereby generating a sustainable source of income for women during the pandemic, the face masks are environment friendly and meet international safety standards.
“In the coming weeks, USAID and the Bhutan Foundation will also support the distribution of medical supplies that will assist in stopping the spread of hospital-acquired infections as well as other essential medical equipment to assist with Bhutan’s COVID-19 response,” states the release.
