Katalyst Foundation – the charitable arm of Lyndhurst group of companies – today handed over $1 million worth of personal protection equipment to Fiji’s Permanent Secretary for Health and Medical Services, Dr James Fong.

Proudly representing Katalyst Foundation at the handing over ceremony was Mr Rokoseru Nabalarua, Chief Executive Officer of Lyndhurst Group, owners of the world-renowned Kookai label.

“We are glad to host Dr Fong today as we wanted to thank the Ministry for the great job it is doing in leading the fight against COVID-19, for not only are we seeing a decrease in positivity rate, but we have been gaining a remarkable increase in our vaccination numbers,” said Mr Nabalarua.

“Enterprises such as Lyndhurst have also benefitted from the sterling work of the Ministry and all its frontline workers, because it is the implementation of COVID-safe protocols that enable companies such as ours to enjoy business continuity.

“Our vaccination rate in the company has been noteworthy also, with up to 97 per cent of our employees fully vaccinated to date, and we are hopeful of achieving the 100 per cent mark by the middle of this month.”

Katalyst Trustee Rokoseru Nabalarua and Permanent Secretary for Health & Medical Services, Dr James Fong sign the handover of $500,000 worth of personal protection equipment.

In particular, Mr Nabalarua singled out Dr Swastika and her team at the Valelevu Health Centre for working well with the Lyndhurst Group during the challenges posed by the pandemic, ranging from PCR swabbing to ensuring vaccination on site.

Valelevu Health Centre is among nine public health facilities in the Central Division that will benefit from this massive humanitarian assistance, encompassing Navua hospital as well as the other health centres in and around the capital Suva of Lami, Makoi, Nakasi, Nausori, Wainibokasi, Mokani and Korovou, in Tailevu.]

Not forgotten in this massive PPE donation by Lyndhurst are some remote and isolated health centres and nursing stations in Fiji’s maritime provinces of Kadavu, Lomaiviti and Lau, as well as the outer islands of Beqa, Malolo and Yasawa.

Guests and staff of Katalyst Foundation at the handover of PPE ceremony at their Kalabu tax free zone warehouse in Nasinu today.

“Lau of course is the only remaining province in the country that is COVID-19 free still, so we have that real desire to support the Ministry of Health as well as the people of Lau’s intentions to keep the province pandemic free,” said Mr Nabalarua.

“Frontliners in the Ministry of Health are meanwhile battling to contain the spread of COVID-19 in Kadavu, Yasawa, Malolo and Beqa islands, and in our own small way, Katalyst Foundation would like to add its support by assisting the people to sanitize and mask up.”

Mr Nabalarua added the second phase of the distribution targets all the 54 villages on Bua Province in Vanua Levu, where Katalyst Foundation intends to handover masks and bottles of sanitizer for all of the province population of nearly 12,000.

“It was a request from Bua Province that set off this donation drive by Katalyst Foundation, with two major partners in Australia offering to donate over 3000 boxes of sanitizer, and nearly 200 boxes of KN95 masks.

“This humanitarian gesture continues the Foundation’s support for greater wellness and healthier nation, in keeping with the Foundation’s intent of eat, educate, heal and build.”

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