GE Foundation pledges Rs 4.5 crore for COVID relief measures in India
The GE Foundation has announced a USD 6,00,000 (nearly Rs 4.5 crore) to aid COVID-19 relief measures in India amid the second wave of deadly coronavirus spread.
Out of total grants, USD 4,50,000 is being given to NGO United Way Bengaluru, which supports to build-out of 60 intensive treatment units (ITUs) at St John’s Hospital in Bengaluru.
GE Foundation said in a statement that It will provide intensive level nursing and oxygen for up to 600 patients each month and free up intensive care beds for critically ill COVID-19 patients.
The remaining USD 1,50,000-grant to Americares; a health-focused relief and development organisation. It will fund 100 oxygen concentrators to hospitals in need across Vadodara, Noida, Pune, Hyderabad, and Chennai, GE Foundation said in the statement.
‘The oxygen concentrators and associated supplies will support approximately 2,500 patients over the next six months,’ the statement added.
Commenting on the initiatives, GE South Asia President and CEO Mahesh Palashikar said, ‘We believe that this grant will bring timely medical care to critically affected COVID-19 patients in India’.
On the partnership with the GE Foundation, United Way Bengaluru Executive Director Rajesh Krishnan said, ‘At this time of adversity in India where we are bearing the brunt of the brutal COVID-19 second wave, it is important to have a balance between addressing immediate needs and medium to long term needs”. GE Foundation has addressed both needs. The 60 bed ITU at St John’s Hospital is a big step in that direction, he added.
Americares President and CEO Christine Squires said, “…our emergency response team in India will be better positioned to provide health facilities and COVID-19 treatment centres with the supplies they need to protect health workers and care for patients.”
GE Foundation said its latest announcement is over and above the USD 2,75,000 COVID-19 Community Response Grant made in late 2020 to the United Way India, which supported the organisation’s ‘Hungry No More’ initiative. with PTI Inputs
