The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has donated cold chain equipment to help preserve COVID-19 vaccines in Panama.
Panama President Laurentino Cortizo Cohen was present at the National Depository of Biologicals of the Expanded Program of Immunization (PAI) in Río Abajo to witness the donation on November 18, 2021. He was joined by first lady Yazmín de Cortizo, many others of his cabinet, and Elder Johnny F. Ruiz (an Area Seventy).
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The donation comprises freezers, refrigerators, cold boxes, special thermoses for vaccines, alcohol thermometers and laser thermometers.
Elder Ruiz said it is a privilege for the Church to serve others by emulating the example of Jesus Christ.
“We are grateful, first of all, to our Heavenly Father, and to the Ministry of Health for the opportunity to cooperate with health specialists in the fight against the current pandemic and extend a helping hand to our neighbors,” Elder Ruiz said.
President Cortizo thanked the Church of Jesus Christ for the donation. First lady Yasmín de Cortizo expressed her deep gratitude on behalf of the Office of the First Lady of the Republic, the National Government and the recipients of the PAI. She said it is not the first time the Church has made such an important donation to counteract the effects of the pandemic.
The Church makes similar donations to governments and organizations in need worldwide.