UC RUSAL (SEHK: 486; Euronext: RUSAL/RUAL; Moscow Exchange: RUALR), a leading global aluminium producer, announces that construction of the "Centre for epidemic and microbiological research and treatment" in the Kindia administrative region of the Republic of Guinea has completed. The Centre will support Guinea's national health system and help fight the spread of the Ebola virus. The opening ceremony which took place on 17 January was attended by President of Guinea, Alpha Conde.
The Centre for epidemic and microbiological research and treatment (CEMRT) is located at the former Soviet-Guinean Institute Pasteur in Kindia and is among the most modern centers to combat viral diseases in West Africa. Its primary focus will be to conduct research on infectious and highly dangerous diseases and their detection, treatment and prevention.
The Centre's premises include an infection hospital, a provisional hospital, a mobile laboratory and a blood and plasma transfusion department with a laboratory. The Centre will initially serve as a hospital for the treatment of those infected with the Ebola virus.
RUSAL is the only public company globally to initiate a major construction project to help fight the spread of Ebola. The Company's investment in the construction of the Centre amounts to over USD10 million.
As one of the largest investors in the Republic of Guinea, RUSAL is actively supporting the Government in its fight against Ebola. In April 2014, RUSAL donated medicines, sanitary and hygiene items to the Guinean Ministry of Health. In October 2014, RUSAL donated special thermometers which remotely measure temperature to the management of the autonomous sea port of Conakry, where sanitary posts are deployed.
In addition, RUSAL supports all Russian Government initiatives, aimed at helping Guinea to combat Ebola. Since August 2014, RUSAL has provided logistical support to a special anti-epidemic team of the Russian Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing ("Rospotrebnadzor") and a mobile anti-epidemic research laboratory in Guinea.
In November 2014, RUSAL was actively involved in deploying a mobile 200-bed hospital for the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, which was donated to the Republic of Guinea in accordance with a decision by the President of Russia. RUSAL organised the [registration] and unloading of three Russian aircrafts, which delivered equipment for the mobile hospital to Guinea, as well as ensuring the safe transportation of the cargo under escort to its place of storage. RUSAL prepared the site for the hospital, provided accommodation for Russian military medics and provided them with the required resources.
'We are very grateful for the generous contribution of the Russian Federation and UC RUSAL. It is a great honour to accept this valuable contribution, which will significantly help us in the fight against Ebola. On behalf of the people of Guinea, I offer my sincere thanks,' stated President of Guinea Alpha Conde at the opening ceremony.
'We strive to provide full support to the Republic of Guinea, not only in the fight against the Ebola virus, but also in activities related to strengthening theirnational health system as a whole in order to successfully prevent thespread of life-threatening diseases in future,' commented Vladislav Soloviev, CEO of RUSAL.
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