Spurred on by the unfolding events in China at the end of 2019, FIL and MMF took the initiative to formulate a pre-preparedness strategy much before WHO announced it as a global pandemic. The strategy was developed in close consultation with local hospitals, doctors that have been associated with the Foundation, para-medical partners and others with relevant experience.
Recognizing the likelihood of an increase in the need for face masks, the Foundation approached various organizations who could contribute towards this requirement. The Family Planning Association of India who provide a livelihood to HIV+ women in Pune; local women’s self-help groups in Satara were approached to make masks. This effort was mirrored in Masar, Gujarat and Ratnagiri at the Skill Development Centre run by the Foundation. This has created an opportunity for these women and has enabled them to earn additional money to contribute towards their family incomes. Punyadham Ashram which houses senior citizens on the outskirts of Pune voluntarily began making masks and supporting the needs of the police force, Sassoon Hospital and Mukul Madhav Foundation.
Another prong in the strategy was to survey the known network of hospitals assigned to admit COVID patients to ascertain their immediate needs. An appeal was received and responded to from The Red Cross Society, KEM Hospital, Sassoon General Hospital, Naidu Hospital and a number of private hospitals. The Foundation has been proactive to provide ventilators, gloves, PPE suits, masks, sanitizers, disinfectants and face shields to these hospitals.
Through a collaboration with a startup based at the Science and Technology Park, 4 Scitech Airon Generators which purify the air were generously donated to Naidu Hospital and shortly 25 more will be donated to Sassoon Hospital, KEM hospital and police stations.
FIL/MMF in collaboration with KETTO – online crowd funding portal supported 4000+ families who lost their jobs being daily wage earners. MMF partnered with around 7 like-minded institutes/volunteers to carry out the assembling, distribution of goods and support the end beneficiaries.
Rural areas of the state have not been sidelined. The District Health Officer (DHO), CEO and the Civil Surgeon have all been very supportive. RBSK (Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram) has bridged the gap between authorities and NGOs to support the transportation of goods to rural areas as entry by private vehicles has been banned. In this time of isolation.
FIL / MMF continues to support its ‘Mission Cerebral Palsy’ which began in 2015 at Finolex Rehab Centers pan Maharashtra. Patients are being guided through the generous support of the therapists planned by the dynamic team of MMF through skype and whats app video calls. Each parent is getting individual time over the phone. We hope to continue this through the period of lockdown.
Speaking on the activity, Mrs. Ritu Prakash Chhabria, Managing Trustee, Mukul Madhav Foundation said, “During this time of lockdown a whole hearted support from the Foundation to its beneficiaries and vice versa is being provided. Be it old age people, women afflicted with HIV, mobile teachers, authorities, parents or systems; All of them have been an integral part in carrying out these activities and initiatives. Volunteers like Raj Deshmukh, Vinod Rohani, Chetan Lodha and many others have been silently supporting in this Mission.”
We will fight COVID-19 together. Stay Home! Stay Safe
