The Advertising Offices of TVN and TVP have just received a spot with words of thanks directed to all medical services across Poland. It serves as an expression of gratitude and appreciation for those who stand every day at the front line in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

This is a difficult time for all of us, but you are the real heroes. Pharmacists, doctors and everyone else who fights for our health. We wish to thank you for your strength and your perseverance, for your courage, and thank you for being here, for not calculating, for the sacrifices you make. For the fact that we can count on you. Thank you! - these are the words that constitute the main message of the film.

- All medical services in Poland underwent an extremely difficult test, which required them, above all, to exercise great mental resilience, as they had to choose whether to save patients' lives or take care of their own safety. Our spot serves not only as an expression of gratitude for their courage, but also as opposition against the hate that some of them have encountered – comments Jacek Furman, President of the Management Board at Aflofarm Farmacja Polska. It is outrageous that there are people who, instead of thanking the medical services, treat them with hate, insults, and discrimination by refusing to serve them e.g. in shops or by posting offensive cards in their places of residence – he adds.

The 30-second spot will be displayed on TVN, TVP1, TVP2, TVN7, TVN24, TVP INFO and TV Puls channels, among others. The creation and production of the #aflofarmdziękujemy spot was conducted by Aflofarm Farmacja Polska, while the Starcom media house was responsible for planning and purchasing the media.

However, TV creation is not the only action that Aflofarm has recently taken to thank and support the Polish health service. With the coronavirus constantly spreading, this help is now more necessary than ever. Hospitals and pharmacies all over Poland still lack the personal protective equipment necessary to stop the spread of the disease. Therefore Aflofarm focuses primarily on doctors and pharmacists, because it is they who take care of the health and drug safety of Poles every day.

On the pharmacists' side

The #aflofarmpostroniefarmaceuty action has just come to an end. As a result of the initiative, 6,000 pharmacies all over Poland have been equipped with the necessary personal protective equipment against infection, as well as visors, antibacterial gels and regenerative treatments for damaged hands in the form of gloves. Furthermore, the kits also included information posters prepared for Patients visiting the pharmacy - these are recommendations of the Ministry of Health, which are to help maintain basic safety rules in the facility. An additional surprise were candy for the pharmacists to sweeten this hard time.

- The #aflofarmpostroniefarmaceuty initiative was highly needed amongst pharmacists, who appreciated our help nationwide. We met with a huge expression of sympathy from their side, and we often witnessed strong emotions - says Jacek Furman, President of the Management Board at Aflofarm Farmacja Polska. - All this has shown us how much pharmacists need support in this difficult time. And this means not only material help in the form of personal protective equipment, but above all mental support - showing that we remember them and appreciate their hard work – adds Furman.

On the doctors' side

Another group susceptible to coronavirus infection are members of the hospital staff, especially in facilities converted to single-entity isolation hospitals. According to data by GIS, every sixth person infected with coronavirus in Poland was a member of medical personnel - they accounted for 15.6% of all infections. The #aflofarmpostronielekarzy action has just come to an end. As a result, 100 protective visors have been sent to all single-entity hospitals throughout Poland (and to the Institute of Polish Mother’s Memorial Hospital and Pabianice Medical Centre). The donations made to the medical staff will constitute a protective barrier and allow to take care of the safety of all persons remaining in hospitals.

We buy equipment

In the case of a coronavirus infection, access to ventilators may turn out to be of crucial importance for successful treatment of patients. Thus, the "We Love Pabianice" foundation, belonging to Aflofarm Farmacja Polska, decided to support the Pabianice Medical Centre and provide the facility with a modern ventilator for intensive medical care. Specialist equipment worth almost 100,000 PLN is the state-of-the-art Axcent Lyra X2 ventilator, also referred to as the artificial lung. It is a device that intensively supports or completely replaces the patient's muscles during respiratory work. In case of coronavirus infection, which affects the lungs, it gives the Patient time and necessary strength to fight the disease. The support was also provided to the Institute of Polish Mother’s Memorial Hospital - the purchase of a cardiomonitor and pulse oximeter is currently being finalized.

- We stand on the side of health, therefore social responsibility, health prevention and support of medical facilities have always been an important element of our activity. We are happy to help - not only the medical services, but also the Patients themselves – underlines Jacek Furman, President of the Management Board at Aflofarm Farmacja Polska.