Oxygen Concentrators Reach Patients at Rural Clinics and Health Centres in India

Oxygen concentrators and other life-saving equipment sent by Neasden Temple and BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) in the UK have reached patients in rural clinics and health centres in India to help the fight against the devastating second wave of Covid-19 infections that has struck the country.

The deployment of this equipment marks the culmination of a nine-day journey which began with a cycle challenge that raised over £700,000 to support the BAPS relief efforts in India. Following this three-day, non-stop fundraising event, BAPS procured 54 oxygen concentrators which were transported to India on a specially charted British Airways relief flight to Delhi and subsequently delivered and deployed to support critically ill patients.

Together with oxygen concentrators from the UAE, Uganda, Kenya and other countries, the UK machines are being distributed to various hospitals and medical facilities by BAPS volunteers in states and union territories around India, including Chandigarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. The immediate despatch is making a real impact to frontline medical services that are scrambling to save lives.

Dr Rasik Patel, treating patients at Shreeji Clinic in Hadiyol, near Himmatnagar in Gujarat, shared the experience of Kirtibhai, a Covid patient who “was suffering from extreme shortness of breath.” “He couldn’t even lie down,” he added. “Thanks to the oxygen concentrator,” Dr Patel said, “the patient is now able to breathe comfortably.”

Kamlesh Patel, a lead volunteer for Neasden Temple, added, “It is heart-warming to hear testimonies from so many patients who are benefitting from this vital medical equipment. Our primary focus was to ensure that the concentrators and other equipment reached the frontline without delay to help save as many lives as possible. This was made possible by the global network of BAPS centres and volunteers as well as the support of so many who value the spirit of selfless service for which BAPS is respected around the world.”

A further 100 oxygen concentrators donated by BAPS UK have reached the BAPS Covid Hub in Ahmedabad, which will be distributed in the coming days.

The latest news and updates about the ongoing work of BAPS in the UK and the international Covid relief efforts for India can be found by following @neasdentemple on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

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