Infosys, a leading IT services company, has increased its contribution to Covid relief efforts to Rs 200 crore, which will be used to expand hospital beds and increase the availability of oxygen concentrators and ventilators, among other things.
In an email to employees, Infosys Chief Executive Officer Salil Parekh announced that the company has developed vaccination centres for employees and their families at seven of its development centres (DC) across the country, with plans to expand to other DCs.
Infosys has also partnered with over 130 hospitals across India, to provide vaccinations to employees and their families.
“Last year, we pledged Rs 100 crores to aid in the fight against the pandemic, including a donation to the PM Cares fund. In the coming year, we will continue our efforts across the region, and we have increased our original commitment to Rs 200 crores for Covid relief efforts “, said Salil Parekh.
According to Parekh, some of the funds would be used to help set up and extend the capacity of Covid care hospital beds, supplement the supply of oxygen concentrators and ventilators, and provide ration and support funds to migrant labourers and their families affected by the lockdowns.
He went on to say that the organisation has helped law enforcement, health authorities, and health agencies by donating PPE kits, sanitizers, medications, masks, and gloves.
With an app named Apthamitra, the Bengaluru-based firm is also assisting the Karnataka government.
“I want to assure each of you that we are doing whatever we can to help you now and in the coming weeks. Our business is banding together to better prepare us all for what lies ahead”, Salil said.
The second phase of the pandemic has seen a huge increase in infections, resulting in a shortage of medical oxygen and beds in many nations. People searching for oxygen tubes, hospital beds, plasma donors, and ventilators are making SOS calls on social media.
Oxygenators, breathing machines, and ventilators have been sourced and donated by organisations from all walks of life.
IT companies such as Tata Consultancy Services and HCL Technologies are contributing to these efforts in a variety of ways, including by establishing Covid care centres at their locations.
Capgemini has pledged Rs 50 crore to improve India’s medical infrastructure, while SAP has announced that its COVID-19 Emergency Fund, which was announced last year, would be increased to 6 million euros. Accenture has committed $25 million (roughly Rs 185 crore) to the country’s pandemic relief efforts. Employee Covid Care Centres have been developed in Pune, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Mysore, Mangalore, and Gurugram, according to Parekh.
“We’re working as quickly as we can to open similar Covid Care Centres in other towns, subject to local policymakers’ approval. We’ve partnered with over 1,500 hospitals across India to provide care for workers and their families who are now operating from their homes across the country”, added Parekh.
He went on to say that the company has partnered with emergency services, research centres, video medical consultations, and other organisations in most major cities to support workers.
