Private banks will donate 5 million COVID-19 tests.

247 - In a statement, the country's three largest private banks announced they will import and donate 5 million rapid COVID-19 detection tests. Bradesco, Itaú, and Santander also reported that they will donate medical equipment, such as CT scanners and ventilators, subject to market availability.

"The donation aims to support the efforts of healthcare professionals during this challenging time in the fight against the spread of the new coronavirus, when, according to experts, mass testing of the portion of the population suspected of being infected will be crucial to overcoming the crisis. Similarly, CT scanners allow for the identification of the severity of cases, and ventilators save the lives of patients with pulmonary complications," reads part of the statement.

During a press conference, the Minister of Health, Luiz Henrique Mandetta, announced the decision of the three banks to initiate joint action to support the fight against the pandemic. 

The presidents of the three banks – Octavio de Lazari Junior, from Bradesco, Candido Bracher, from Itaú, and Sérgio Rial, from Santander Brasil – made the decision on Wednesday (25), after discussing the best way to contribute to mitigating the effects of Covid-19.

"The first practical measure was the formation of a task force, composed of professionals from each of the institutions, which defined, under the guidance of the Ministry of Health, the most efficient logistics for importing the testing kits and equipment," the statement says.

Check it out in full:

Private banks join forces to support the fight against Covid-19.

Bradesco, Itaú, and Santander have committed to importing 5 million rapid tests for detecting the disease, as well as CT scanners and ventilators.

São Paulo, March 25, 2020 – In an unprecedented initiative, Brazil's three largest private banks – Bradesco, Itaú, and Santander – have joined forces to support health authorities in combating the spread of Covid-19 in the country. The institutions have undertaken the responsibility of importing 5 million rapid tests for detecting the disease, as well as medical equipment such as CT scanners and ventilators, following the guidelines of the Ministry of Health and market availability.

The donation aims to support the efforts of healthcare professionals during this challenging time in the fight against the spread of the novel coronavirus, when, according to experts, mass testing of the portion of the population suspected of being infected will be crucial to overcoming the crisis. Similarly, CT scanners allow for the identification of the severity of cases, and ventilators save the lives of patients with pulmonary complications.

The decision to initiate the joint action was made this Wednesday by the presidents of the three banks – Octavio de Lazari Jr., of Bradesco, Candido Bracher, of Itaú, and Sérgio Rial, of Santander Brasil – who discussed the best way to contribute to mitigating the effects of the pandemic.

The first practical measure was the formation of a task force, composed of professionals from each of the institutions, which defined, under the guidance of the Ministry of Health, the most efficient logistics for importing the testing kits and equipment.

According to Bradesco's president, Octavio de Lazari, the union between the banks was quick and simple, as they all defended the idea of ​​an effective and joint response simultaneously. “This is a difficult and challenging moment, with complex choices. For this reason, the union of efforts is the viable path to overcoming this cycle of difficulties. This is what the joint donation we are making represents, a gesture with practical effects in the fight against the new coronavirus, whose greatest relevance is its meaning that together we are stronger than any crisis, be it the pandemic or the economic effects resulting from it,” stated Lazari.

Candido Bracher observes that the current global situation demands solidarity from individuals and businesses. “The gravity of the crisis requires that not only the government, but also civil society, act quickly and effectively to combat COVID-19. Therefore, we decided to go beyond our individual initiatives, which are already being conducted separately by the three banks – in our case, a donation already announced through the Itaú Foundation for Education and Culture and the Unibanco Institute – and join forces to contribute even more. Protecting and supporting people, especially the most vulnerable, is the priority for all of us at this delicate moment,” stated Bracher.

Sérgio Rial emphasizes the importance of joining forces at this time: “This is an exceptional moment, which demands sacrifices and also proactive actions, capable of making a difference for the whole society. This is what is expected of us, financial institutions, and it is what we want to deliver by combining the efforts of the largest private banks in the country,” concludes Sérgio Rial, president of Santander Brazil. “Large-scale support for the work of our healthcare professionals and patients goes far beyond anything we can do individually, and adds to sectoral initiatives aimed at maintaining the financial viability of businesses and individuals during this most critical period in the fight against the pandemic.”