— donates $1.2M towards purchase of PPE, offers free ‘night calls’

OVER 2,000 health workers have benefitted from free 4G data bundles from telecoms giant Digicel, as the company continues to do its part in supporting frontline workers as they combat the COVID-19 epidemic.

“Digicel Guyana has been supporting doctors and nurses on the frontline amid the current COVID-19 pandemic, and with calls across the nation for social distancing. Digicel Guyana wishes to emphasise to their customers that they are #ThereWithYou.
“Digicel has provided doctors and nurses with free data to stay connected to their loved ones as they work around the clock to fight the Coronavirus,” said the company in a press statement, adding that the offer lasts for three months.

According to the press statement, Chief Executive Officer of Digicel Guyana, Gregory Dean, said: “Our aim is to assist in any way that we can. We know how important it is to stay connected to your loved ones, especially during times of uncertainty. So as our healthcare professionals work on the frontline to keep us safe, we want to give them that sense of reassurance that comes with knowing their loved ones are also safe. They are the real heroes and we would like them to know that we are there with them.”

Additionally, Digicel has partnered with the Rotary Club of Georgetown to purchase personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers to the tune of GYD$1,250,000. The Rotary Club of Georgetown will distribute this equipment across the country in coming weeks.

Additionally, calls to the Ministry of Public Health’s hotlines are toll free and access to the Ministry of Education, Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/ WHO) and the Ministry of Public Health websites also remains free.
Digicel encouraged customers to stay safe and remain indoors to help stop the spread of the coronavirus and to use information from only trusted sites such as PAHO, WHO, and local government websites.

The company has activated its business continuity plan to ensure that communication services are maintained throughout the epidemic.
Digicel has also introduced several measures that will allow customers to stay in touch and stay connected to loved ones during this time. Some of these measures include, free “night talk” from 9pm – 6am, removal of credit-transfer charges, and top-up bill payments by post-paid customers.

Digicel’s customer care agents can be reached by dialling 100, using the live-chat feature and via the various social media platforms; however, it is encouraging customers to use the live-chat feature in the first instance.

In speaking further about the company’s commitment to the fight against the disease, Dean said: “Digicel is committed to assisting in the fight against the virus and will continue to support the Government of Guyana in their[sic] efforts to keep us safe at this time. As a provider of essential services to the public, we have a duty of care to keep our business running no matter what.

“Indeed, at a time like this, the services that we provide to customers could not be more vital or more needed. Our services are keeping hospitals, institutions, businesses, governments and people connected and we take that responsibility very seriously.

We would also like to remind everyone to stay safe and keep practising good hygiene like washing your hands with soap for minimum 40 seconds. When using hand sanitisers, use one with minimum 70% alcohol and rub your hands together for at least 20 seconds.”