The initiative includes checking of suspected patients, disbursement of medicines free of charge and transfer of positive cases to Government hospitals
Force Motors has deployed around 50 mobile dispensary vans in Maharashtra to aid the Government in identifying and testing persons showing any signs of the coronavirus symptoms. These vans, put into action, have tested 1,11,679 patients in 26 days in the state out of which 1,070 positive COVID-19 patients have been transferred to government hospitals dedicated to treating this dreaded virus.
Maharashtra is a leading state in the number of COVID-19 cases with numbers increasing each day. Force Motors has entered into an alliance with the Bhartiya Jain Sanghatan (BJS), with a fleet of mobile dispensaries. Called “Doctor Aplya Daari” (Doctor at your doorstep) in Maharashtra, this initiative was started on 1st April.
The vans are equipped with doctors, support staff and medicines and moves around in economically weaker locations both in Pune and in the PCMC region according to a pre-intimated schedule. The Mobile Dispensary Vans are a blessing to aid the doctors and other medical staff who are working round the clock to treat COVID-19 positive patients, putting their own lives at risk.
The mobile vans check around 2,500 persons per day, examine the symptoms of around 500 patients and medicines apportioned to these positive patients is being offered free of charge. This service will continue till the coronavirus is fully contained and is offered in key markets like Pune, Aurangabad, Dhule, Nashik, Ratnagiri, Sangli, Solapur and others cities across the state.
Panchshil Foundation has also partnered with Force Motors to provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits to hospitals handling COVID-19 patients in Pune. This initiative was started on 21st April and 15,000 PPE kits will be distributed to government and private hospitals in Pune where the COVID-19 patients are being attended to.
Along with this initiative of Mobile Dispensary Vans, Force Motors has also earmarked Rs.25 crores to support COVID-19 relief activities. The company will offer these funds towards up-gradation of health care infrastructure, to enhance blood collection facilities and provide free food to those in need. The Foundation has provided over 30,000 food hampers comprising of the basic necessities of rice, dal, cooking oil and eggs to daily wage earners who have been left with no source of income.
Maharashtra is the hotbed of coronavirus in India. The numbers have been steadily rising with over 8,000 COVID-19 cases as on date. Mumbai accounts for 5,407 cases while there are 1,052 cases in Pune and 738 in Thane. In the past 24 hours, 440 new cases have emerged. Death toll in the state has increased to 342 while 1,188 patients have recovered from the virus.