While we are all overwhelmed with coronavirus pandemic, it’s heartening to see that companies across industries are coming forward with funds and resources to support the war against Covid-19. Even the auto sector, which has its own challenges to deal with, is playing a key role in the fight against coronavirus. The latest announcement comes from ŠKODA AUTO Volkswagen India Private Limited (ŠAVWIPL), which has pledged Rs 1 crore for setting up a dedicated 1100 bed facility for the treatment of Covid-19 patients.
The funds have been donated to Sassoon Hospital in Pune, which will be setting up the dedicated 1100 bed facility. The facility will be equipped with all the necessary critical care equipment such as ventilators and essential medical consumables such as face masks, disposable gloves, safety suits, sanitizers, etc.
Covid-19 cases are expected to increase significantly in the coming weeks, which is why such facilities will be the key to saving lives. The 21-day lockdown provides a good opportunity to build the needed medical infrastructure, which is exactly what ŠAVWIPL intends to do.
In addition to the monetary help, ŠAVWIPL will donate more than 35,000 sanitizers to Sassoon General Hospital (Pune), Kasturba Gandhi Hospital (Mumbai) and Government Hospital (Aurangabad). It may be recalled that we are currently facing a huge shortage of sanitizers. There are hardly any retail stores or medical shops that have sanitizers in stock. Even hospitals at some locations have run out of sanitizers, the first line of defence against coronavirus. The sanitizers donated by ŠAVWIPL will be a great help in these challenging times.
ŠAVWIPL has also developed reusable face shields, which are being produced at the company’s Chakan facility. The face shields will work as the first line of defence for healthcare personnel by protecting their face from body fluids. These can work along with masks and can be sanitized after being used for 6-8 hours.
These face shields are intended to be used at OPD facilities, ICU and even outdoor locations. These shields have received the necessary certification from Dr Ajay Chandanwale, Dean of the Maharashtra State Government run Sassoon General Hospital.
As daily wage workers are among the worst affected, ŠAVWIPL will distribute around 50,000 food packets to needy people who live in and around Aurangabad. This project will be executed in association with Annamitra Foundation. It will be an on-going activity till the time the 21-day lockdown ends. ŠAVWIPL will also be utilizing its global supply chain network to source essential medical supplies that the country needs to fight coronavirus pandemic.
