India is facing a deadly second wave of COVID-19. Number of reported Coid positive cases seems to be on the rise and thousands reportedly die daily. Hospitals and medical facilities are running out of oxygen and ICU beds, with patients left outside hospitals waiting for care.
There are several groups and individuals are responding to the crisis in India, distributing and installing medical equipment at health centers, distributing PPE to frontline health workers, and providing food and cash to meet people’s immediate needs. Dr. Amit Chakrabarty, Urologist in MO, USA and present Secretary of American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, (AAPI) has been in the forefront coordinating efforts, helping individuals to donate Oxygen related supplies to India during this unprecedented calamity.
With the help of the source, an anesthesiologist from Dallas, Texas, who prefers to remain anonymous, and Dr. Indranil Basu-Ray, Interventional Cardiologist from Memphis and Chairman of American Association of Yoga and Meditation (AAYM) along with an army of volunteers from Oxygen for India, AirLift USA and FedEx International, Dr. Chakrabarty is coordinating donation of about 1000 co-ventilators from a facility United States to government and nonprofit hospitals all over India. “Based on solicited requests from hospitals sent on their letterhead, specifically stating that this would be used free and not-for-profit and will not be
resold. They have had more than 175 such requests, and still continue to get them,” Dr. Chakrabarty said.
Dr. Amit Chakrabarty, Chairman of ApShiNi Ventures along with Dr. Dayaprasad Kulkarni, physician from Syracuse NY and founder member of Arogyaseva Global Health Alliance (a nonprofit 501(c)3 in US with NGO status in India) are coordinating efforts in helping individuals and groups to donate Oxygen related supplies to India during this unprecedented calamity.
“ApShiNi volunteers have painstakingly verified the hospitals and put the information on Google sheets. The first batch of 980 Co-Ventilator’s have been allotted and in the process of being sent, and will be delivered to the hospitals. We expect 1000 more to be on the way,” Dr. Chakrabarty stated here.
Dr. Chakrabarty, along with Dr Aparna Vuppala, Psychiatrist Huntsville Al, Pugazendhi Asaimuthu, Data Management, NJ and many other volunteers with his team of volunteers have been coordinating individual donation requests in the USA and Dr. Daya is on the ground in Bengaluru helping with the local logistics. The first order for 500 in Round 1 is currently being delivered. Additional 1000 have been secured for Round 2, Dr. Chakrabarty pointed out.
In appreciation of his efforts, Lisa Cao and the GoFundMe Team have donated $1,500 on May 19th towards Oxygen Concentrators by AarogyaSeva Foundation Fundraiser. “I wanted to let you know that as part of our employee GivesBack program, I’ve nominated your fundraiser for a special donation from GoFundMe because your efforts touched our hearts. I’m pleased to say the $1500 donation was just made today. Thank you for all you’re doing to help those in India during their time of need,” wrote Ms. Cao.
Oxygen 2 India is a part of ApShiNi ventures’ endeavor by The American Association of physicians of Indian origin (AAPI), the largest ethnic medical organization in the USA representing the interest of more than 100,000 physicians in the USA has stepped up to the plate to deal with the crisis of India.
“Thanks to the overwhelming support of its members that AAPI has raised almost $4.5 million in 2 weeks. They have been working very hard in sending oxygen concentrators and ventilators to India, to deal with the calamity in India and are in the process of helping to set up oxygen generator plants in different hospitals in India,” Dr. Vhakrabarty said.
While AAPI has challenges in directing its resources to specific areas and relies on government of India to distribute its supplies, Dr. Chakrabarty has been working outside the umbrella of AAPI for directed transfer of the essential material, focusing mainly on the peripheral hospitals who do not get aid readily.
This project is a separate initiative and not via AAPI or SEWA as their supplies are going to main areas of need and are not able to cater to specific hospitals or individuals. This is probably the only way individuals in the US can buy small orders in the bulk rate to donate to specific hospitals or physicians in India. Once the form is filled by you; the Donor, the specified recipient you put in will get the order; these are NOT FOR RESALE.
These will then be distributed by Arogyaseva using the services of Shiprocket from Bengaluru (to specified recipients in major cities/ metros all over India and delivery to smaller towns will be attempted ( not guaranteed- recipients may have to pick up from their nearby city). The units are manufactured in China and the supplier is from Canada (Terra Nova Global) with whom we have a North America based legal binding contract. The units come with a warranty for one year. For more information, please reach out to Dr. Amit Chakrabarty, Secretary of AAPI or visit: www.poplarbluffurology.com