As a timely gesture to assist India in dealing with the medical crisis, the Global Schools Foundation (GSF) has sent over 500 oxygen concentrators to the country for Covid-19 impacted patients
The Global Schools Foundation (GSF) contacted Sewa International, a large network of social initiatives in India, to tap into their extensive local resources and deliver these oxygen concentrators to small towns and villages throughout the world. These concentrators are in addition to the first shipment of 200 oxygen cylinders, which arrived on board the Indian Navy warship Airavat as part of a larger consignment. “By sending life-saving equipment to India, such as oxygen concentrators and cylinders, we are saving lives. They can be used in hospitals, social service organisations, and community centres,” said GSF Chairman Atul Temurnikar.
“It is our responsibility to ensure that this gain reaches the farthest reaches of India, and GSF will do whatever possible to assist in Covid-relief measures,” he said on Saturday. As the second wave of COVID-19 wreaked havoc on India, oxygen tanks have been in short supply. According to data from the Union health ministry, India announced 4,03,738 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, bringing the total to 2,22,96,414. With 4,092 deaths per day, the death rate has risen to 2,42,362. GSF is the umbrella organisation for 23 international schools.
As phase 3 of the nationwide vaccination campaign expands, India’s total COVID-19 vaccination coverage has surpassed 16.94 crore doses, according to the central government. So far, more than 17.8 lakh people between the ages of 18 and 44 have been vaccinated. Covid-19 vaccination’s “liberalised and accelerated” phase-3 strategy went into effect on May 1. GSF has made a significant contribution to the response to India’s Covid pandemic. This is the second time GSF has generously donated to Covid’s relief efforts in India. When the pandemic first reached India in early 2020, GSF donated S$200,000 to PM CARES, the Prime Minister’s fund set up to aid in the fight against the pandemic.
As a result of the second wave of Covid-19, India has been experiencing oxygen tank shortages. The Indian government has received assistance from around the world, including GSF’s oxygen tanks and concentrators. “The 500 oxygen concentrators are a significant move forward for GSF in providing medical relief to Covid-19 patients in India. Mr Shyam Parande, Secretary of Sewa International, expressed gratitude to Global Schools Foundation for the equipment, which will be urgently sent to the most remote parts of the world to assist those in need. 95,41,654 healthcare workers (HCWs) have received the first dose, 64,63,620 HCWs have received the second dose, and 1,39,43,558 frontline workers (FLWs) have received the first jab of vaccine and 77,32,072 FLWs have received the second jab of vaccine. In addition, the first jab was given to 5,50,75,720 people aged 45 to 60, and the second jab was given to 64,09,465 people aged 45 to 60.
So far, the government has delivered/ dispatched 6,608 oxygen concentrators, 3,856 oxygen cylinders, 14 oxygen generation plants, 4,330 ventilators/Bi-PAP/CPAP, and more than 3 lakh Remdesivir vials to the states/UTs.
