Banco Popular donates portable ventilators, N95 masks
Local bank Banco Popular has significantly contributed to the territory’s fight against COVID-19 through its donation of two portable ventilators and 1,000 N95 masks to the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA).
The BVIHSA confirmed they received the devices and the masks on Monday January 4.
Vice President and Commercial Relationship and Credit Manager at Banco Popular Darren Vanterpool said the portable ventilators will be of use not only in the mainland of Tortola, but also on the sister islands of Virgin Gorda, Anegada and Jost Van Dyke.
This is due to the ventilators being lightweight and having the capacity to provide up to 11 hours of service on the internal battery power.
“We see this as most beneficial while transporting emergency patients, particularly from the outlying sister islands, to the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital. These devices are regulatory approved by the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for emergency use and Medtronics will provide training and offer technical support through its regional representative in Puerto Rico,” Vanterpool stated.
Enough equipment to operate on 200 patients
Acting Chief Executive Officer of the BVIHSA Mrs Cedorene Malone-Smith said the ability to do extra with the portable ventilators cannot be overstated.
“If something happens on the sister islands, we now have the capacity to move more efficiently with a ventilator, which we didn’t have in the past. Not only did they donate the ventilators, they gave us enough of the accessories and consumables for 200 patients! So they come ready to go and that is greatly appreciated,” she stated.
Minister pleased with donation
Meanwhile, Health Minister Carvin Malone said he was pleased with the bank’s display of corporate responsibility, and encouraged other corporate organisations to partner with the BVIHSA or government to assist with further enhancing the territory’s resistance against the pandemic.
“I would like to thank Banco Popular for their generosity, as they have spared no expense and I look forward to working with them in the future,” he stated.
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Banco Thanks for the ventilators, but I hope youall bring some kind of awning or tent covering from P.R to help protect your customers standing outside from the rain or sun. There are some transactions that people must enter the bank for and allyo treating people as if we standing in the salvation army line or something. you can send a representative outside now and again to check on what customers have to do. I had a check to drop in the deposit box the other day and the security wouldn’t even let me in to drop it or take it to drop it for me. Total madness. We are almost into a year with covid and banco should do better
I support your comments 200%.
When was the last time someone was on a ventilator in the BVI? It’s a good gesture but this continuous mention of ventilators is only to stir up fear among the populace. We now have 10 ventilators including these 2 new ones and we will still have the Minister fear mongering when he knows full well that at any given time there may be one or two being used for severe trauma cases, NOT COVID!!!!
The ventilators are not specific to COVID treatment. They are used for any instance in which respiratory assistance would be needed, and even in the main hospital emergency room. Increased capacity is not a bad thing.
-Lou Gerhig’s disease
-coma or loss of consciousness
-brain injury
-collapsed lung
-drug overdose
-lung infection/pneumonia
-premature lung development (in babies)
-stroke
-upper spinal cord injuries
Nobody saying its a bad thing, we just wish Carvin would stop the fear mongering and keep talking about how many ventilators we have.
Much appreciated. Now would you all look into maintaining those bank machines so customers do not have make multiple trips to make a single transaction?