Dubai: You can donate unused medicines lying around your home to a worthy cause this Ramadan.
Etisalat has launched a Medicine Drop Box initiative in all its buildings where people can donate unused medicines to help poor and low-income patients.
A large Eticare box in the shape of a medicine box has been placed in the foyer of the buildings for people to drop their medicines.
However, those who wish to make donations must remember that the medicines should be valid for at least six months, any syrup or ointment should be unused, and the donated medicine should be those that do not need refrigeration.
The initiative, in line with the Year of Giving, is being done in collaboration with Al Ihsan Charitable Society, Ajman, which runs a charitable medical complex that gives out medicines for free to people who are in need.
Running till the end of Ramadan, 12 of etisalat’s offices will collect medicines from both employees and customers.
An etisalat spokesperson said that its corporate social reponsibility (CSR) team worked on this project very closely with the charity as they realised that there are millions of people worldwide who do not have access to basic medication and facilities.
“In the UAE, our employees and customers would be pleased to contribute to this worthy initiative especially that all of us have a lot of unused medicines that just go to waste most of the time,” he said.
The donations will help reduce the physical burden, especially on those with chronic diseases who are in need for treatment throughout the year.
He added that etisalat is also working on a number of initiatives to support the government in its goals of giving back to the society. The initiatives carried out with the help of the company’s employees have targeted orphans, blue collar workers, and people in urgent need for a blood donation.
“Such initiatives also help in engaging our employees actively in the company’s CSR initiatives across the country,” he said.
