FCA delivers fully equipped field hospital to Covid-19 patients in Goiana, Pernambuco

GOIANA (PE), May 20, 2020 - Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) delivered today to the Government of Pernambuco a fully equipped field hospital for Covid-19 patients in the city of Goiana, where the Jeep Automotive Pole is located. Assembled in the building of the Pernambuco Specialized Care Unit (UPAE) built by FCA, the hospital has 100 beds, three of which in the “red room” – for stabilization of severe cases - and another 97 in the infirmary. The unit will be managed and operated by the State Government of Pernambuco.

In addition to the 100 beds, the hospital also has ten offices, a screening room, nursing stations, administrative area and a material and sterilization center. FCA also donated all the medical equipment required for the treatment of Covid-19 patients, such as an X-ray machine, three ventilators – all maintained and recovered by FCA technicians who participate in a national task force for the maintenance of ventilators - and various medical materials. FCA also donated a Fiat Ducato van adapted as an ambulance to support the unit’s logistical needs.

“For us, at FCA, it is essential to act for the good of the community in this very challenging moment”, said Antonio Sergio Mello, Government Relations Director for FCA in Latin America. “The operation of the Goiana field hospital is an extremely important milestone in the broad and comprehensive support program to combat Covid-19 that FCA has been implementing in Brazil during this crisis.”

The field hospital, assembled in a 3,874 sqm area, will function during the pandemic as a closed unit, thus only hosting patients transferred from other state health units. After overcoming the pandemic, the hospital will continue to serve the population as a multi-clinic UPAE, operated by the Pernambuco government.

The construction of the UPAE building is a counterpart action following the financing loan made available to FCA by the Brazilian National Development Bank (BNDES) for the installation of the Jeep Automotive Pole in Pernambuco. “From the very beginning, we found a welcoming, productive and highly collaborative environment in Pernambuco, at the state and municipal levels. For us, at FCA, actively contributing to the development and well-being of the communities in Pernambuco is essential, as well as extremely rewarding”, concludes Mello.

FCA supporting the fight against Covid-19 in Brazil

The Goiana field hospital is another very important action within the comprehensive program implemented by FCA to help fight the pandemic, which includes the production and donation of essential safety equipment for healthcare professionals, leasing of vehicles for logistical support to state and municipal authorities, maintenance of ventilators and other initiatives.

The FCA program is based on three main fronts:

- Contributions for the installation of two field hospitals, in Betim (Minas Gerais state) and Goiana, totaling an offer of up to 300 additional beds in the two municipalities where FCA maintains automotive plants in Brazil;

- Donations and leasing of materials, miscellaneous equipment and vehicles to health authorities in Minas Gerais and Pernambuco, in addition to donations to assist the homeless and communities in situation of extreme vulnerability;

- Leverage of the company's expertise and resources to produce and expand the supply of essential medical equipment, such as personal protective equipment for health professionals and ventilators.