Didier Drogba has allowed his hospital in Ivory Coast to be used as a coronavirus treatment centre.
The generous offer from the Chelsea legend comes amid fears the pandemic could have devastating effects on Africa.
In the Ivory Coast there have been 574 people who have tested positive for the virus, with the death toll standing at five so far.
The Didier Drogba Foundation opened the hospital in the 42-year-old’s hometown of Abidjan in 2016. The infirmary is named after Ivory Coast footballer Laurent Pokou.
The head of Abidjan’s regional council Vincent Oh Bi Irie expressed his gratitude to Drogba after the gesture.
He said: “We thank Drogba for this gift considered as an act of patriotism.”
The hospital is set to be made functional by the Ivory Coast government.
“It’s up to the state to validate it and make it functional,” the Didier Drogba Foundation director Mariam Breka said.
Drogba scored 65 goals in 105 appearances for Ivory Coast before retiring from international football in 2014.
Earlier this month, the 2012 Champions League winner slammed two French doctors after they suggested testing a vaccine for coronavirus in Africa.
“It is totally inconceivable we keep on cautioning this. Africa isn’t a testing lab,” Drogba tweeted.
“I would like to vividly denounce those demeaning, false and most of all deeply racists words.
“Helps [sic] us save Africa with the current ongoing COVID-19 and flatten the curve.
“Let us save ourselves from this crazy virus that is plummeting the world economy and ravaging populations health worldwide.
“Do not take African people as human Guinea [sic] pigs! It’s absolutely disgusting…
“African leaders have a responsibility to protect their populations from those horrendous conspiracies.
“May God protect us!”
It is totally inconceivable we keep on cautioning this.
Africa isn’t a testing lab.
I would like to vividly denounce those demeaning, false and most of all deeply racists words.Helps us save Africa with the current ongoing Covid 19 and flatten the curve. pic.twitter.com/41GIpXaIYv
— Didier Drogba (@didierdrogba) April 2, 2020
Let us save ourselves from this crazy virus that is plummeting the world economy and ravaging populations health worldwide.
Do not take African people as human guinnea pigs! It’s absolutely disgusting…— Didier Drogba (@didierdrogba) April 2, 2020
