Following the recent Covid-19 surge, which has left India scrambling for medical oxygen and other life-saving supplies, Indian-Americans are mobilising to assist the nation in overcoming the pandemic. Sewa International USA, an Indian-American non-profit organisation, is seeking to raise $5 million — and has already raised over 1.5 million — in response to the deadly second wave of Covid-19 in India, in less than two days. According to the organisation, an initial shipment of 400 oxygen concentrators, as well as emergency medical equipment and supplies, will be sent to India immediately.
Sewa is working to obtain more from a variety of suppliers around the world, to alleviate the oxygen shortage caused by the increasing number of Covid-19 cases in India. The organisation announced the launch of the “Help India Defeat Covid-19” initiative, which aims to ship oxygen concentrators to Indian hospitals. According to Sewa, it also provides food and medicines to approximately 10,000 families, as well as over 1,000 orphanages and senior citizen centres across the region.
How does it work?
An oxygen concentrator may be a medical device that concentrates oxygen from the encompassing environment. Atmospheric air contains about 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen, with the remaining 1% made up of other gases. The oxygen concentrator takes during this air, filters it through a sieve, reintroduces the nitrogen, and works on the remaining oxygen. This oxygen, compressed and delivered via cannula, is 90-95 per cent pure. In concentrators, a pressure valve helps control supply, which ranges from 1 to 10 litres per minute.
According to 2015 WHO study, concentrators are equipped for continuous operation and can produce oxygen 24 hours a day, seven days a week for up to five years or more. If it is not as pure as LMO (99 per cent), experts agree that it is adequate for mild to moderate Covid-19 patients with oxygen saturation levels of 85% or higher. It is, however, not recommended for ICU patients. Concentrators may be connected to several tubes to serve two patients at the same time, although this is not recommended by experts due to the possibility of cross-infection.
“Sewa International is humbled by the outpouring of donations and support from the Indian-American community across the United States,” said Gitesh Desai, Sewa’s spokesperson in Houston. Sewa rose over USD 1.5 million, demonstrating that Indian-Americans, since the pain and misery of their brothers and sisters in India, are concerned for their well-being during the devastating crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.” “Thousands of donors have responded positively to Sewa, expressing a strong desire to assist India in overcoming this crisis. We thank them for his or her generous and timely contribution,” Sewa International president Arun Kankani said.
“Sewa volunteers are working on developing a Digital Helpdesk to provide vital information on emergency services, hospital bed availability, and blood and medicinal supplies to people,” said Swadesh Katoch, Sewa’s vice president for Disaster Recovery. We don’t have to give up because India has a lot of money, and we can still help people beat Covid-19. I ask that everyone remain constructive and do what needs to be done.”
According to the organisation, Sewa International has collaborated with leading professional associations such as AAPI, IITAGH (IIT Alumni of Greater Houston), Pan IIT, and other community organisations in this endeavour.
