In these crucial times of the COVID-19 crisis within the country, Mercedes-Benz is standing together with the community and supporting around 2,300 families of daily wage workers and BPL families from Khed, Ambegaon and Viman Nagar area. Shekhar Bhide, Vice President, Customer services and Corporate Affairs, Mercedes-Benz India shares the company’s endeavours to support the community and the authorities in every possible way, with Usha Sharma
How is Mercedes-Benz in India dealing with pandemic coronavirus (COVID-19)?
The COVID-19 pandemic affects us all. Especially in times like these, it is important for us to meet our social responsibility. In the wake of the ongoing global health crisis caused by the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, ’FlattenTheCurve’ is our objective at Mercedes-Benz and we are doing all we can in India and globally to support the ongoing health crisis. We are trying to support the local communities, local authorities, our dealers and society by coming up with a temporary hospital with 1,500-bed isolation wards. We are also supporting 2,300 families of daily wage workers and BPL families from Khed, Ambegaon and Viman Nagar area by providing them with dry ration and cleaning kits. Not just the company, but also our employees will contribute one day’s salary, the amount of which will be matched by the company towards the contribution of the Maharashtra Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for COVID-19 pandemic. We have announced a host of safety measures in response to the evolving health pandemic to ensure the safety and well-being of our employees. Continuing this decision of practising social distancing, we have supported the government appeal for a country lockdown and decided to continue work from home for all employees. We are standing together with our community and it remains our endeavour to support them and the authorities in every possible way. We hope for a speedy recovery of the crisis and getting back to normalcy.
Where are you building up a temporary hospital for the COVID-19 patients and what all medical facilities will this unit have?
We are trying to support the local authorities and local communities in the region by setting up a temporary hospital with medical facilities and isolation wards for the COVID-19 patients. The facility is in the new building, Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority’s (MHADA) housing area. The isolation wards with 374 rooms will have a capacity to take care of 1,500 patients in the Mhalunge-Ingale Village, Chakan Khed. We will assist the Zila Parishad with all the necessary infrastructure, including the medical equipment required to create a temporary OPD, infrastructure for stay, stretchers, wheelchairs, PPE kits sanitizers, etc., which are essential in the smooth functioning of the hospital and isolation ward.
How much time will it take to build up the temporary hospital?
All necessary material has been delivered to the hospital location and government authorities are now working on ramping up the place. As per the communication with authorities, the facility should be ready to use by next week.
After the COVID-19 pandemic is over, who will be managing that hospital, and how?
Post easing of the COVID-19 condition, the facility will close down but the measure taken by us in building a temporary isolation ward will not only benefit the medical urgency during the challenging times, but also benefit the community after the closure of the temporary facility. The medical equipment will be donated to the Civil Hospital of Khed and the assets from the isolation wards will be given to the tribal youth hostels by government authorities with appropriate treatment and sanitization.
Is this initiative a part of your CSR activities?
Yes, this is a part of our CSR activity. Mercedes-Benz has been committed to helping communities and we will continue to do so. In these challenging times, we are trying to support the local community and local authorities in the best possible way. Through our existing partner NGO Shashwat Trust and Ashraya Initiatives for children, we have supported 2,300 BPL families from Khed, Ambegaon and Viman nagar area. The initiative will secure requirements for food and hygiene for these families till the end of May.
Since Mercedes-Benz is a well-recognised name in the automobile sector, will logistic/transportation also be also given to medical workers?
Local health officers from Zila Parishad govern this set-up; hence, logistic support is not required from Mercedes-Benz India in this case.
What supply did you extend to the Grant Medical Foundation (Ruby Hall Clinic)
We have donated two ventilators in order to support the Grant Medical Foundation (Ruby Hall Clinic)
usha.express@gmail.com
u.sharma@expressindia.com’