Hey Guys,
Today I would like to write about a fundraiser that one of my acquaintance is carrying out. We are also involved in the project, as all of us witnessed the horror and grief firsthand.
Request everyone to donate, please. We are loosing funds. The link to her fundraiser is http://gf.me/u/zsb7j4
I have personally known some of the patients here and it is heartbreaking to see them suffering. You can also watch Shalini in her YouTube stories.
Here is her story:
Three weeks back I was admitted
to Narayana Superspeciality Hospital in Howrah, West Bengal, being Covid
positive. When I was released from the hospital, I was shocked to find that my
parents were admitted in the wing next to mine. We struggled with the disease
since then. Even now when I write this, my father is on his nebulizer. Being a
Covid warrior myself I can understand the plight of those who suffer. Corona is
a virus that takes heavy toll on your body, if you survive.
India is facing the worst battle
with coronavirus. The second wave of Covid-19 has brought devastating
situation. The sudden surge has left many shortages for hospital beds, oxygen
supply, medical supplies and also protective wears for our doctors and medical
staff.
As per the data of 2nd
May 2021, Kolkata is reeling under oxygen shortage crisis. 60% of the oxygen
supply has been made mandatory for by the state government officials to be kept
for Covid patients. Although private hospitals have augmented the storage
capacity, smaller nursing homes and local hospitals are suffering
significantly. Howrah hospital, ALMC hospital, Jain hospital Medicare Nursing
home; all have urgent need of oxygen supplies.
What is happening without oxygen?
You will see in one of the videos
where one of the Covid patient was kept in general ward after his treatment
where he had developed a rare neurological condition called Tardive Dyskinesia.
He also suffered brain hemorrhages, few of which happened in front of me during
visiting hours.
Many had died of whom I was not
allowed to record or take images.
Doctors said that about 70-80% of the patients coming in the hospital
with Covid infection during their second wave are requiring oxygen.
Seeing the situation, I have
decided to volunteer and help as much as I can. I with some of our neighbors
and friends have interviewed several people from in and around the hospitals
and have been in touch with emergency services since. You can read some of our
findings here.
Our Stories
Asansol Government Hospital
stated that, “We depend on bulk
cylinders. Right now even as we have 136 Covid beds, 150 patients have been
admitted. We had to put some of them in the emergency area. All of them need
oxygen. We wake up in fear every morning as our stocks have run out and we are
just managing somehow. Although the government has assured us, no oxygen supply
has yet been received.” This information was received from a friend, who is
a resident of Asansol and is an active volunteer here.
Ujjal Saha, age 58, a resident of
North Kolkata struggled to arrange oxygen cylinder for his dying father. He
said, “We were waiting for his report but
he was showing all Covid-19 positive symptoms. His SpO2 level was dripping. We
were asked to administer oxygen by our family physician, so we are frantically
calling suppliers and hospitals. Some wanted 30,000, others wanted 40,000 for a
cylinder. We could not afford it!” He reported this incident while standing
in from of Calcutta Medical College.
Shilpi, a resident of Kolkata was asked 30,000 INR from a dealer. She arranged cash payment and was asked to come at a spot. However, he had already sold it to someone else for a higher price. “I was on verge of tears. I didn’t know what to do,” she says. Few days back her mother passed away, her father and brother in isolation.
What is the extent of the crisis?
- · Crematoriums are overflowing as people die without oxygen support.
- · The problem is acute in rural areas as they are no medical facilities to combat Covid.
- · Most patients are dying in their homes, as visiting the hospitals are not proving otherwise.
- · 10 Covid patients in Kolkata die waiting in bed for oxygen support. (Indian Express, April 27, 2021)
- · Industry expert state that India needs 7000 metric tonnes of medical oxygen to combat this crisis.
- · Refilling charges have gone up in some place to as high as 2000 INR per cylinder. Before the crisis refilling cost was maximum 100 INR.
- · Oxygen is also purchased from the black market with as high as 80000 INR.
- · Oximeter price has been increased four times by manufacturers making it impossible for the average masses to afford.
- · Masks prices has also be tripled in the time of crisis.
- · Baby Nebulizers suffer shortages all over West Bengal.
What can you do to help?
In times of such crisis, the
neediest are the rural population of West Bengal who cannot afford costs for
the treatment of Coronavirus. Out of fear, most of them are not even getting
tested. Faith is playing a major part amongst all this, as God is their
ultimate protection.
However, even God calls for action!
You as Covid warriors can support
our causes to fight the battle as India fights Corona. The situation is grave.
It is not just about a country but humanity as a whole. With your help we can
reach places where Government aid fails. Liquid oxygen can be purchased for
smaller nursing homes and even smaller cans for those quarantined at home.
How will you help them?
Your support will help us
purchase:
- · Infrared Thermometers / Contact less thermometers
- · Disposable PPE Kit for medical staffs.
- · Baby Air Nebulizers for small children suffering from Coronavirus.
- · Fingertip Pulse Oximeters
- · D-Type Oxygen cylinders
- · Oxygen cylinder 10 liter capacity
- · 7 kg Portable Medical Oxygen Kit
#IndiaCovidCrisis #IndiaFightsCorona
#Covid19SOS #IndiaNeedsOxygen #India
Please everyone, we would be highly grateful if you can support us.
The link to her fundraiser is http://gf.me/u/zsb7j4
