- Two mechanical respiration medical devices were delivered to Guatemala.
- Ventilators were developed in Mexico thanks to the collaboration between public institutions, universities, and companies such as FEMSA.
Mexico City, Mexico. June 3, 2021. – Mexico City, Mexico. June 3, 2021. – Mexico donated four mechanical ventilator devices to Guatemala to help save COVID-19 patients’ lives. Ventilators were produced by FEMSA and more than fifteen public institutions, companies, and universities. Coca-Cola FEMSA donated two of these devices.
Each donated ventilator, manufactured in Mexico, costs between 10,000 and 12,000 dollars. Patients use ventilators when they experience critical respiratory conditions due to COVID-19. In contrast, high-end ventilators may cost up to 50,000 dollars.
“At Coca-Cola FEMSA, since the beginning of the pandemic, we have supported ourselves by making donations of hydration, medical supplies, hygiene, and disinfection products to different institutions. The donation of these pieces of equipment—developed by one of the FEMSA companies in collaboration with other companies—reaffirms our commitment to unite and continue supporting people still facing COVID-19 effects,” said Gabriela Arias, Manager Legal & Corporate Affairs at Coca-Cola FEMSA Guatemala.
Last year, FEMSA developed the fully automatic VSZ-20-2 emergency ventilator with an intuitive, easy-to-use design at a low cost and easy serial production. The project was part of the “Together for Health” initiative between the Mexican Government, the private sector, and educational institutions.
“At the beginning of the pandemic, we formed a group of experts in mechanical respirators to help save lives. Each company contributed its experience: Metalsa with the assembly, GSE contributed medical equipment knowledge, and jointly with TEC de Monterrey and TEC Salud, we integrated a team of more than 800 people who collaborated for this great project “, said Salvador Almaguer Renteria, Director of Food Service Operations, FEMSA Alpunto Food Service.
The development of these fans reinforces that collaboration, innovation, and talent in the country achieve successful projects for Mexico and countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.
About FEMSA
FEMSA is a company that generates economic and social value through companies and institutions and seeks to be the best employer and neighbor of the communities where it is present. It participates in retail trade through FEMSA Comercio, which comprises the Proximity Division and of which OXXO, a small-format store chain, is part; a Health Division that includes pharmacies and related activities; and a Fuels Division that operates the OXXO Gas service station chain. Coca-Cola FEMSA participates in the beverage industry, the world’s largest bottler of Coca-Cola products by sales volume; and in the beer sector, as the second largest shareholder in HEINEKEN, one of the world’s leading beer companies with a presence in more than 70 countries. FEMSA also participates in the logistics and distribution industry through FEMSA Strategic Businesses, which additionally provides refrigeration solutions at point-of-sale and plastic solutions to its companies and external clients. Through its Business Units it employs more than 320,000 collaborators in 13 countries. FEMSA is a member of the MILA Pacific Alliance Sustainability Index of the Dow Jones, of the FTSE4Good Emerging Index and of the Sustainable IPC of the Mexican Stock Exchange, among other indices that evaluate its sustainability performance.
About Coca-Cola FEMSA
Coca-Cola FEMSA, S.A.B. de C.V. It is the largest bottler of Coca-Cola products in the world by sales volume. The Company produces and distributes beverages under the trademarks of The Coca-Cola Company, offering a broad portfolio of 129 brands to more than 265 million consumers every day. With more than 80 thousand employees, the company markets and sells approximately 3.3-billion-unit cases through almost 2 million points of sale per year. By operating 49 manufacturing plants and 268 distribution centers, Coca-Cola FEMSA is committed to generating economic, social and environmental value for all its stakeholders throughout the value chain. The Company is a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for Emerging Markets, the MILA Pacific Alliance Sustainability Index of the Dow Jones, FTSE4Good Emerging Index, the IPC and Social Responsibility and Sustainability indices of the Mexican Stock Exchange, among other indices. Its operations cover certain territories in Mexico, Brazil, Guatemala, Colombia, Argentina, and, at the national level, in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, Uruguay and Venezuela through its investment in KOF Venezuela. For more information, visit www.coca-colafemsa.com