The Brazilian Petroleum, Gas and Biofuels Institute (IBP) is part of a partners’ network of the United Against Covid-19 program, of the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz). Through its associated companies, Total and Galp (local Petrogal Brasil), the Institute will contribute with financial resources to strengthen the emergency fund that will support the production of molecular and rapid tests, the expansion of sample testing capacity and the realization of research related to the treatment of the disease.

By the unidos.fiocruz.br platform, Fiocruz allows private and public organizations and individuals to donate to expand the actions to face the health emergency.

“This partnership between the oil and gas sector and a center of excellence in the health segment, such as the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, becomes essential when we need to join all efforts to ensure the well-being of our society. The IBP is making efforts to promote all possible support to fight this pandemic”, analyses Clarissa Lins, IBP president.

Learn about the main actions promoted by United Against COVID-19 movement:

Production of Diagnostic Kits: intended to supply the network of public laboratories across the country, part of the Unified Health System (SUS). With the increase in cases worldwide, Fiocruz is using its maximum capacity to produce tests, both molecular and rapid, and seeking partners and international suppliers in order to complement the offer of diagnostic kits to serve the Ministry of Health.

Patient care: construction of a rapid assembly hospital unit, with 200 exclusive beds for intensive and semi-intensive treatment for critically ill patients infected with the new coronavirus. The Covid-19 Pandemic Hospital Center – National Institute of Infectious Disease will promote the expansion of access to ICU beds and mechanical ventilation, in order to reduce the burden on the health system and, thus, the lethality of the disease.

Medicines: management, in Brazil, of the Solidarity clinical trial (Solidarity), launched by the World Health Organization (WHO). The initiative aims to investigate the effectiveness of four treatments for the new coronavirus implemented in 18 hospitals in 12 states, with support from the Ministry of Health.

Training: the qualification of public laboratories for the diagnosis of the new coronavirus is essential to face the pandemic. Since the beginning of the year, Fiocruz has been training professionals from the Central Public Health Laboratories (Lacens) in the country.

Neighboring communities: awareness-raising and distribution of inputs aimed at residents of the Manguinhos region, aiming to help to prevent and reduce the transmission of the new coronavirus.

Reliable communication: production of clear and secure information about the new coronavirus to disseminate quality data to society via the press, in addition to training journalists through thematic workshops and the production of videos and information materials for health professionals.

The Brazilian Petroleum, Gas and Biofuels Institute (IBP), by its five associated companies – Chevron, Ipiranga, Raízen, Repsol Sinopec Brasil and Shell –, will donate financial resources to construct a field hospital at Leblon, a neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro, exclusively designed to receive up to 200 COVID-19 diagnosed patients of the Unified Public Health System (SUS). This action reinforces the oil and gas industry’s commitment to humanitarian aid in combating the pandemic.

The construction and operation of this new unit will be managed by Rede D’ Or, a private operator recognized for its excellence in medical care, international expertise and highly specialized multidisciplinary teams. Considered on one of the biggest actions of the private initiative in partnership with the public power to fight the new coronavirus in Brazil, the total investment of R$ 45 million will come exclusively from donations from companies, including Rede D’Or, Bradesco Seguros, Lojas Americanas, Banco Safra and IBP.

The Leblon field hospital will have 100 beds for the ICU and another 100 for the infirmary, in addition to a fully equipped structure for consultations and tests focusing on digital tomography, conventional radiology, ultrasound, echocardiography and a clinical pathology laboratory.

The construction will last 30 days and the expectation is a four month operation, a period considered critical in regards to the evolution of the epidemic in the city. There is the expectation of 1,000 direct and indirect job generation. The hospital will be set up on the ground next to the 23rd Battalion of the Military Police, on the Lagoa-Barra highway, which is currently undeveloped. It is a strategic location for the logistics of the city between the South Zone and Barra and can serve different local communities, such as Rocinha and Vidigal.

“It is necessary to find ways to help society overcome this critical moment. The oil and gas industry wants to be part of the solutions that contribute to the health of citizens, in partnership with various agents. Joining this initiative, in Rio de Janeiro, reinforces our commitment to work incessantly to mitigate the sacrifices imposed on the population in the fight against COVID-19. Such a donation would not have been possible without the effective contribution of our member companies, to which we thank”, affirmed Clarissa Lins, IBP president.

Due to the advancement of coronavirus transmission, IBP decided to expand the safety and prevention measures against COVID-19, to preserve the health and well-being of our employees, associates, suppliers, and stakeholders.

The purpose of these measures is to minimize the risk of transmission and proliferation of the virus, according to the protocols and recommendations of the Ministry of Health and WHO.

• • Suspension of facing service for an indefinite period;
  • Implementation of remote work for IBP employees;
  • Suspension of classes for UnIBP courses scheduled for March and April;
  • Suspension of visits and loan services for publications from the Documentation Information Center (CID);
  • Suspension of certification audits;
  • The anticipation of the vaccination campaign for IBP employees.

We continue to attend through our virtual channels. We clarify that these measures will be applied indefinitely and will be periodically reassessed, according to the evolution of the situation in the country.

All official IBP information will be available, in Portuguese and English, on our communication channels and on our social networks. Access: https://www.ibp.org.br/

If you have any questions, please contact Relationship Management.