Tamil Nadu health minister inaugurates the centre at Hande Hospital
The Jain Annapurna Trust, which has been at the forefront of providing relief to patients affected by the second wave of COVID -19, inaugurated a 40-bed facility with intensive care unit (ICU) and ventilator beds at Hande Hospital, Shenoy Nagar, Chennai. The facility, which will be operational round-the-clock will provide free stay and treatment to critically ill patients who are struggling to find a place for medical treatments and will be monitored by a team of doctors, nurses, and paramedical staff. The centre was inaugurated at a function held at the hospital earlier, by Tamil Nadu Health Minister MA Subramaniam along with Mohan MK, MLA Annanagar constituency and HV Hande, Former State Health Minister.
This is the second COVID care centre arranged by the trust in Chennai. The first centre launched in association with Bharathirajaa Hospital, T Nagar has been operational for the last 45 days.
According to the trust, the COVID care centre will provide medical aid to all patients who are affected by COVID-19 irrespective of their caste and religion. “Last year, along with other social groups like JITO, RYA etc. we have provided treatment to over 5000 patients at Bharathiraja Hospital under the able leadership of Dr Sri Arumugam. Our focus is to offer medicine for all. With the second wave raging, we have already commenced activities at Bharathiraja Hospital, T NAGAR, and are now joining hands with Hande Hospital, Shenoy Nagar, to enhance the Government’s effort to fight the pandemic,” said Narendra Srisrimal, Trustee Jain Annapurna Trust.
Speaking at the inaugural programme, Health Minister Subramaniam said “Everyone should follow this example. Small hospitals should work on arranging for critical oxygen so patients are not turned away the last minute.” He also added that the government is fully preparing for the vaccination drive and that they are writing to the PM asking for emergency equipment and other lifesaving drugs and that the government is working overtime to face this pandemic.
Dr Arumugam, Chief Doctor, COVID Care Center added that the hospital is running well equipped. He said, “We have enough oxygen beds for every patient. We have procured additional high flow oxygen machines, BiPAP machines and ventilators to enhance the preparedness. The hospital was already operative with hundred beds for COVID care. With the opening of this second facility with 40 beds, we now have a capacity of 140 beds altogether under the Jain Anna Poorna Trust. We are trying our best to serve the people who are in dire need of help in this pandemic.”
