Bangkok--7 Apr--ABM Connect
The Honda Khiang Khang Thai (HKKT) Fund, under the Honda Thailand Foundation, in cooperation with the Honda group of companies in Thailand, is helping the country to get through this difficult time by providing medical equipment worth 40 million baht to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. In cooperation with Vajira Hospital, Honda has dedicated a team to start the production of 100 negative pressure mobile beds at its plant in Ayutthaya province to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and keep medical professionals safe while they take care of patients. The company effort involves associate volunteers and outside organizations such as the Department of Corrections with aim to produce and deliver much-needed medical supplies to some 48 hospitals across Thailand, plus 10 HKKT ambulances to use for transporting COVID-19 patients.
Mr. Pitak Pruittisarikorn, Managing Director of the HKKT Fund, said, “The HKKT Fund’s purpose is to provide assistance to mitigate problems faced by Thailand and its people. In light of the COVID-19 situation, it’s time for collective efforts, so the HKKT Fund and Honda group of companies in Thailand are pleased to provide emergency support in the form of medical supplies and equipment to be distributed to hospitals around the country to help reduce the impact caused by a shortage of these items.”
“Since Vajira Hospital has developed the negative pressure mobile beds, which are currently in high demand, the HKKT Fund is working in cooperation with them to produce 100 negative pressure mobile beds at the Honda automobile production plant in Ayutthaya province. Several volunteer associates from the assembly line, which has been suspended temporarily, are producing the beds with the close cooperation of and quality control by the Faculty of Medicine, Vajira Hospital, Navamindradhiraj University,” added Mr. Pitak.
The medical equipment that the HKKT Fund will provide to hospitals across Thailand includes:
HKKT ambulances: 10 vehicles to be used to transport patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.Negative pressure mobile beds: 100 units to help to reduce the spread of COVID-19 while enhancing safety for the medical staff who are taking care of patients in the high-risk group. To create negative air pressure, the air is extracted from the patient sleeping area and passes through a HEPA filter (High-efficiency Particulate Air Filter) on its way out. These beds are produced by volunteer production staff of Honda Automobile (Thailand) Co., Ltd.Face shields: 1,000 units produced by volunteer staff of Thai Honda Manufacturing Co., Ltd. and A.P. Honda Co., Ltd.
Personal Protective Equipment Suits (PPE Suits): 10,000 sets for medical staff responsible for COVID-19 patients.
Face masks: 100,000 units purchased from the Department of Corrections.
All of Honda’s customers are a crucial part of this contribution, as the 40-million-baht budget provided by the HKKT Fund is generated from the sale of cars, motorcycles, and power products. The effort reinforces the HKKT Fund’s strong intent to stand with Thai people and provide a wide range of support to help deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. Honda will continue to make contributions and adhere to its purpose of creating value and being an organization that Thai society wants to exist.
About the Honda Khiang Khang Thai Fund
The Honda Group of Companies in Thailand jointly set up the Honda Khiang Khang Thai Fund (HKKT Fund) under the Honda Thailand Foundation on March 31, 2012. The Fund’s objective is to provide assistance to Thais who are affected by natural disasters such as floods, landslides, severely cold temperatures, and droughts, as well as to initiate various related activities. Honda contributes 1,000 baht to the Fund for every Honda car sold, 100 baht for every Honda motorcycle sold, and 10 baht for every Honda power product sold. The total fund as at August 2019 is one billion baht. The Fund has undertaken activities in four major areas that are beneficial for people affected by natural disasters, including: 1) Providing funds; 2) Contributing materials; 3) Building a collaborative network; and 4) Enhancing knowledge for responding to natural disasters. Over the past eight years, the HKKT has provided 335 million baht in support to Thai people nationwide.