BUSINESSES have rallied to ensure the MIA's hospitals area stocked with critical supplies during the coronavirus crisis.
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Malmet Australia and the RWW Group have sourced $40,000 worth of personal protective equipment, including surgical masks and protective coveralls which has been donated generously by the Celi family.
The donation was made at the Leeton District Hospital late last week, with representatives from both companies in attendance to pass on not just the equipment, but also their gratitude to the shire's health workers.
These items were officially donated to the Leeton Hospital Auxiliary and will be used by hospital staff, as well as local paramedics.
The two businesses joined forces to make sure the donations would be able to be made possible, wanting to do what they can to help out during what has been a tough time for many, but even more so for those working in health care.
A donation will also be made to Griffith Base Hospital Auxiliary, recognising this facility's role in the district-wide approach to caring for patients with COVID-19.
Three cases of the virus were detected in Griffith but those patients have since recovered, no cases have been confirmed in Leeton.
Leeton facility manager Amanda Culpan said the donation of the equipment was a generous one from Malmet and the RWW Group.
"If a person in Leeton tests positive for COVID-19 and has mild to moderate symptoms they can be managed at home, while patients who are more unwell can be cared for at Leeton Hospital," she said.
"Griffith Base Hospital is the best place for our most seriously ill patients.
"The MLHD's respiratory specialists and critical care teams are ready to manage patients requiring the highest levels of care at our two base hospitals in Griffith and Wagga."
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Malmet Australia chief executive officer and Leeton resident Peter Kirkup said the donations represented one essential workforce supporting another.
"Our staff are working around the clock to support our hospitals, both in the manufacturing of equipment and on the front line with our technicians in the hospitals providing service and maintenance," he said.
"We are proud to be able to support our medical professionals as fellow essential workers during this time.
"I feel humbled to work for such a generous family.
"I would like to send a special thanks to the Malmet employees and all essential workers for their effort during these trying times, it feels as though the country has banded together to do whatever is needed."
Mr Kirkup said Malmet's role in the provision of healthcare equipment has enabled it to act as a referral point for other businesses who may be able to assist with the COVID-19 response.
RWW Group, a national uniform supplier with its head office in Leeton, was more than happy to get on board and help, according to head of sales Jamie Firth.
"When we heard through Malmet the usual suppliers to the health care sector may start to run low on supplies we looked to our contacts to see what they might have in the stock that could help," he said.
"We found they had N95 masks and other personal protective equipment suitable for use in our hospitals that we have been able to order and donate locally to support our hospital staff."