Helping Solve the Oxygen Crisis – A Bid to Save Lives in COVID-19’s Second Surge

30/04/21

Story of Change

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10 oxygen concentrators at three of the worst hit COVID-19 centres of Baraich, Uttar Pradesh provided Bal Raksha Bharat saved 460 lives.

“These oxygen concentrators were provided at a time when we were overwhelmed with patients in need of life saving support, we cannot thank Bal Raksha Bharat enough for being so prompt in their support and giving us the breath of life,” said Dr.Rajesh Mohan Srivastava, the Chief Medical Officer in Baraich, in the northern state Uttar Pradesh.

Three of the worst hit centres of one of the largest states in India, Uttar Pradesh with 460 COVID-19 patient beds, received 10 oxygen concentrators at a time when cases are surging and death toll is rising. According to top government officials, the shortage of oxygen in the second wave of COVID-19 is mainly due to a lack of cryogenic tankers and logistics of transporting it from distant locations. The Indian government has allowed for industrial oxygen to be diverted for medical use. The Indian Railways has started an Oxygen Express service to carry the oxygen tanker to various parts of India.

Bal Raksha Bharat in India has been working closely with the Government to respond to the crisis. We know that time is of essence here and immediate intervention to critically-ill patients is paramount. The healthcare personnel in the state of Uttar Pradesh are overburdened and facing the dual challenge of mounting COVID cases and shortage of essential medical infrastructure and supplies required. This availability of medical grade oxygen for patients continues to face stress and in short supply, leading to deaths and despair.

Children at the Centre of COVID’s Second Surge – Your Support Matters

As the Coronavirus tsunami sweeps cities and towns across India, the vulnerable children who already grappled with issues like lack of education and healthcare, compromised safety and abuse, are at a high risk of suffering even more. The pandemic threatens to reverse the gains made for children and jeopardizes their future gravely.

Bal Raksha Bharat is geared up to respond to this unprecedented emergency and will be reaching 1 million children and their communities. Our response will cover providing Oxygen Support, COVID Care Kits, Hygiene Kits, Food Baskets, Education Support, Livelihood Support and Psycho-social Counselling. We cannot do this alone. Help us reach those in real need by making a contribution DONATE NOW.

Gaurav Sharma

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