ITC will help set up 200-bed Covid-19 medical facility in Kolkata

Unit will be set up and managed by Medica Superspecialty Hospitals; Bengal govt has allowed use of Kishore Bharati Stadium

ITC is extending financial support to set up a 200-bed Covid care facility in Kolkata in the wake of the rising number of cases.

The hospital will be set up and managed entirely by Medica Superspecialty Hospitals and will be a temporary facility for the treatment of Covid-19 affected patients. The West Bengal government has permitted the use of Kishore Bharati Stadium for the facility.

"To contribute to enhancing availability of Covid healthcare facilities in Kolkata, ITC is humbled by the opportunity to support the setting up of a 200 to 300 bed medical facility in Kolkata by Medica Superspecialty hospital for the treatment of COVID-19 positive patients and administering vaccines," the company said.

“The unprecedented medical crisis created by the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in an exponential surge in the demand for healthcare facilities. This has led to an acute shortage in the availability of beds at hospitals for the treatment of Covid-19 positive patients,” it added.

Setting up the facility will comprise the cost of creating the facility including arrangement for beds, monitors, oxygen, furniture, air conditioners and initial medical supply.

Covid cases have been rising in West Bengal; new positive cases on April 29 were at 17,403 while total cases were at 110,241.

ITC has been extending support in other states, as well. Its paperboards unit in Bhadrachalam in Telangana has commenced supply of oxygen to identified government hospitals in the state.

To ease bottlenecks in transportation of medical oxygen supply, ITC is importing cryogenic ISO containers by Linde India from other Asian countries. Also, it is importing oxygen concentrators and generators.

ITC is also providing support for vaccination to value chain partners in the eco-system across the country, the company said.