"Direct-to-Frontline" PPE Initiative Completed by Global Citizen Capital

CENTRAL DISTRICT, Hong Kong - April 11, 2020 - PRLog -- /Businesswire.com/ - (Hong Kong) -

Since end of February 2020, Global Citizen Capital and its healthcare team has seen four key issues facing the healthcare system around the world in its combat against COVID-19.

- Delayed recognition of COVID-19 symptoms and lack of experience in dealing with respiratory pathogens.

- Exposure to large numbers of patients in long shifts with inadequate rest periods.

- Lack of personal protective equipment.

- Lack of measures to prevent the spread in hospitals.

"The new coronavirus disease is attacking societies at their core, claiming lives and people's livelihoods", said Untied Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, pointing out that the potential longer-term effects on the global economy and individual countries are "dire".

In some countries, 1 in 10 health workers is infected with coronavirus. Evidence from a variety of counties is helping to explain this trend.

"Coronavirus infections continue to grow and as they do, health workers are getting ill. In some countries up to 10% of health workers are being infected by coronavirus," said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, World Health Organization Director General.

Health workers are at risk on two fronts, explained WHO officials. Due to a shortage of personal protective equipment, some are being infected in hospitals. However, others are also being infected outside hospitals, in their homes or communities.

"Health workers have always been, unfortunately, the mine's canary in epidemic response, particularly in areas that don't have strong surveillance systems" said Michael J. Ryan, Chief Executive Director of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme.

"Some of the strongest health systems in the world have been caught off-guard by the pandemic," said Kenneth Kwok, Founder and CEO of Global Citizen Capital. "You see an overall lack of preparedness of the whole health system even in developed countries," he added.

"Any system could have gaps and we should have the humility to see to what extent our system is prepared and how can we improve it for the future," confirmed Dr, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

The team at Global Citizen Capital responded swiftly by launching a 30-Day "Direct-to-Frontline" PPE Initiative, connecting PPE to the most at-risk healthcare workers in United States, Canada, UK and EU.

For those wishing to support this Initiative or learn about other ongoing projects, please visit for more information: https://www.globalcitizencap.com/covid-19