Covid-19 Relief for Rural Villages in India

As many of you know, the recent surge in India’s COVID-19 cases have overwhelmed the country’s healthcare system. As of May 2021, there are 3.4 million active cases and 218,959 resultant deaths in India. With cases growing at an exponential rate and less than 10% of India’s population vaccinated, millions of people are vulnerable to the virus.

Rural villages within India have been hit hard by the COVID-19 crisis. Much of India’s resources have been allocated to hospitals within major cities leaving local hospitals in rural villages with a lack of medical resources. These villages have had soaring COVID-19 cases; overwhelming the hospitals due to a lack of beds and medical equipment. 

In the above video, you can see a religious center which was recently converted into a COVID-19 site, to support those requiring medical attention. Due to the lack of environmental space, patients are crammed together in tight spaces, without the necessary isolation precautions to protect themselves and those around them. Likewise, there is minimal personal protective equipment (PPE) available for healthcare workers and patient families. This is just one example of the devastation occurring in numerous small towns and villages across India.

Through this initiative, we hope to raise proceeds to purchase medical equipment for village hospitals throughout the Surat district of Gujarat, India.

Costs of Medical Resources:
Oxygen tank: 700 - 1000 rupees ($11-20 CAD)
Mechanical Ventilator: 850,000 rupees ($14,000 CAD)

With the aid of trusted family members back home, we are aiming to purchase sufficient oxygen therapy tanks for Lockat hospital in Kathor and Dinbandhu hospital in Kholvad. A portion of proceeds will also go towards assisting both Yashfeen and Mulla hospital of Navsari, in acquiring ventilators. Remaining donations will be used to purchase medicine, PPE and meals for families living in poverty stricken communities of this region. 

We encourage you to donate what you can during this time of crisis. Every donation is a stride towards saving a life. We thank you graciously for your contributions. 

Our Story:
A relative of our family contracted COVID-19 back home and suffered severe symptoms. Due to the lack of hospital capacity, he was refused admission to the hospital; delaying required treatment. When he was finally able to obtain medical attention, the hospital did not have the appropriate medication to treat his symptoms. Unfortunately his symptoms exacerbated in a short span of time and he passed away suddenly. His death may have been preventable if the hospital was supplied with the necessary resources. This story inspired my family and I to create this project and provide COVID-19 relief to those areas of India that are often forgotten.