As the need to step up relief efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic continues, Coca-Cola in India has partnered with United Way Mumbai to augment healthcare initiatives in 48 public hospitals across eight states in the country. Apart from large-scale support to public hospitals and healthcare workers, the partnership has also committed to serving 65000+ public service personnel such as sanitation workers, police staff and community health workers across the nation. This initiative is a part of Coca-Cola’s commitment of Rs 100 crore towards helping the healthcare system and communities to combat the crisis and contain the spread of the pandemic.
As a part of this relief initiative, Coca-Cola and United Way Mumbai along with its partner NGO Samarthanam Trust for the disabled commenced a distribution drive in Karnataka. PPE and hygiene aid kits were distributed amongst frontline warriors in Karnataka to help them fight against the spread of coronavirus. This drive was initiated at seven minister quarters, Bangalore, in the presence of eminent state dignitaries, B Sriramulu, minister for Health and Family Welfare & Backward Classes Welfare in the Government of Karnataka, dean and directors of Victoria and CV Raman General Hospitals and Mahantesh G Kivadasannavar, founder Managing Trustee, Samarthanam Trust. According to the press note, through this distribution, 1200 healthcare workers, 8000 sanitation workers, 2050 police personnel and 1100 community health workers will be benefitted in Karnataka.
Commenting on the initiative, Ishteyaque Amjad, vice-president, Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability, Coca-Cola India and South West Asia said, “We are humbled to collaborate with our partner United Way Mumbai in providing support to the health and safety of the country’s frontline warriors. We are hopeful that with collective efforts and resilience, we will be able to steer ourselves out of these testing times.”
Adding further, Jayanti Shukla, chief executive officer, United Way Mumbai said, “The rapid spread of the virus has left doctors, nurses and other frontline workers with inadequate access to the protective equipment, necessary to defend themselves. In such testing times, it’s important to ensure their safety and safeguard their health so our citizens can continue to receive the care and support that they need. Through this collaboration, Coca-Cola and United Way Mumbai will continue to identify, plan and support interventions to areas of greatest needs.”
Mahantesh GK, founder managing trustee, Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled said, “Through this joint initiative by Coca-Cola India and United Way Mumbai, we are humbled to extend our support and gratitude to the frontline warriors in Karnataka, fighting against the odds in combating the spread of Covid-19.”
The initial phase of the relief program is being rolled out in eight critically affected states including Maharashtra (Mumbai, Pune), Delhi, Tamil Nadu (Chennai), Karnataka (Bengaluru), Telangana (Hyderabad), Gujarat, Punjab and Haryana. To provide immediate support and enhancement of health infrastructure, public hospitals are being provided with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) comprising N95 masks, 3-ply disposable masks, surgical caps, surgical goggles, waterproof gowns, shoe covers, and gloves for the safety of healthcare workers. The support package also includes sanitizer dispensers, additional ICU beds, and non-contact thermometers for medical preparedness in dealing with the anticipated number of cases across the country. Working alongside the government bodies and local institutions to support basic needs and ensure safety and protection of our frontline healthcare personnel and communities, this outreach aims to positively impact 9600 healthcare workers and over 9 lakh patients across India.
Additionally, to equip public service personnel such as police staff, sanitation workers and other community and social workers who are working in the frontlines and hotspot zones, protective gears such as masks and gloves along with sanitizer dispensers are also being provided. This support is expected to reach approximately 50,000 sanitation workers, 11,000+ police personnel and 6,000 community health workers across India.
