- Works in the installation of field hospital equipment in IFEMA
- The company’s engineers have been working in the development of an app to fight the coronavirus as well as medical equipment using 3D printing
- Builds the first Express Test Centers in the Balearic Islands
Ferrovial is intensifying the fight against coronavirus COVID-19 by strengthening its cooperation with the Administration, both by performing its regular activities and also by providing its capabilities and resources on a pro bono basis. In its capacity as a construction company and also as a service provider and innovator, the company has worked on a number of initiatives to curb the pandemic.
Latest initiatives
The company has donated 800 face shields for use by healthcare workers at facilities in Madrid, Toledo and Guadalajara. They were made with 3D printing and use helmet mounts that are standard in the construction industry.
Last week, the company announced the creation of the “Ferrovial Juntos COVID-19” fund, to which it will contribute up to 10 million euro to help fight the pandemic. The company will make an initial contribution of 5 million euro. At the same time, it has launched a drive to raise funds among employees, directors, shareholders, contractors, suppliers and anyone wishing to make a donation. The company will match any contributions up to a total contribution of 10 million euro.
“Ferrovial Juntos COVID-19” funds will be allocated for specific projects by the healthcare administration, hospitals, universities and research and development centers, as well as NGOs. These projects will focus on the procurement of healthcare materials and medical equipment, and on research into pharmacological solutions or vaccines to combat the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The company will also donate funds to help vulnerable groups and those at risk of exclusion as a result of the current health crisis. The funds will be allocated with the utmost transparency in terms of beneficiaries and projects.
Construction capacity to fight a pandemic
The company has placed its construction and design capabilities at the disposal of the health authorities to build fast testing centers. The first such centers have been built in Manacor and Inca, on the Balearic Islands. The COVID-exprés centers can collect 70-80 samples per day from drive-in visitors. The designs will enable such centers to be built in a short period of time anywhere in the country.
The group is converting public buildings, such as sports pavilions and convention centers, into healthcare facilities. It is working with the Madrid Regional Government’s Ministry of Health and the Military Emergencies Unit (UME) to install a field hospital in IFEMA, Madrid’s convention center, in order to deal with the large number of cases of coronavirus in the region. Sixty Ferrovial professionals are assembling 500 beds at the hospital, which will ultimately hold 5,500 beds, making it the largest hospital in Europe, and taking charge of other installations, such as the oxygen supply.
The company has also offered to build field hospitals with capacity for 250 beds.
Through its procurement channels, the company has placed an order for respirators that will be donated to hospitals.
Innovation at the service of the authorities
Ferrovial also worked on a pro bono basis, alongside such companies as Telefónica, Goggo Network and Google, under the leadership of Carto, ForceManager and Mendesaltaren, at the service of the Madrid Regional Government and the Government of Spain to develop the coronamadrid and asistenciaCOVID-19 apps.
The company’s Digital Hub is working with a “maker” initiative to create low-cost assisted breathing devices using 3D printing and electronics. The project documentation has been open-sourced so that it can be used by maker groups in other countries.
Ferrovial is also participating in a group at the Jaén Technology Park using 3D printing to make personal protection equipment such as masks and face shields. The group, a partnership of companies and private individuals, can produce up to 400 masks per day.
Supporting healthcare professionals
Ferrovial, through subsidiary Smart Hospital Cantabria (SHC), which delivers services at Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital in Santander (Spain), and Serranopark, a Madrid car park part-owned by Cintra, have allocated a total of 830 parking spaces free of charge for use by healthcare personnel during the state of alarm declared as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.
SHC reached an agreement with the Valdecilla hospital management and Eysa to offer hospital workers 480 parking spaces free of charge in the Valdecilla Sur car park. This will provide an easier commute for the people in the front line fighting the pandemic and give the greatest possible protection to those who take care of citizens’ health.
SerranoPark has adopted the protocol signed by Madrid City Government and the Madrid Regional Government and has allocated 350 of its 947 off-street parking spaces on a pro bono basis for use by healthcare personnel from public or private hospitals who need them during the state of alarm.
Free TV for patients hospitalized with coronavirus
Additionally, since persons hospitalized with coronavirus are not allowed to receive visits or leave their rooms, SHC is waiving the charge for TV use in their rooms so that they can be informed and entertained while in hospital.
SHC will continue to work with Valdecilla to consider any other initiatives that may alleviate problems arising in the hospital complex as a result of the pandemic.
Ferrovial continues to deliver its services, which are classified as essential, after the declaration of the state of alarm due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. These critical services include ambulance transport, hospital maintenance and cleaning, street cleaning, and healthcare and pharmaceutical waste collection and treatment, all of which are essential for day-to-day operations.
Ferrovial professionals serve more than 25 million citizens throughout Spain. Specifically, more than 16,000 employees work in critical areas, such as staffing health emergency call centers, providing cleaning and disinfection, and maintaining the country’s main hospitals and health centers, totaling more than 40,000 beds. The company’s employees also crew ambulances and deliver medical emergency response and home telecare services.
