Governor Frank Adamson initially issued a challenge for 10 District 7090 Rotary Clubs to come forward with contributions of $1,000 USD each. Rotary District 7090 is contributing $10,000 USD. Total contributions from Clubs and individual donors have exceeded $15,000 USD bringing the total to over $25,000 in support for the India Rotary COVID Task Force. D7090 consists of 64 Rotary clubs, 13 Rotaract clubs and 2 E-Clubs.
The Need: Rotary International, in consultation with the Chair of the India Rotary COVID Task Force has determined that the most urgent need is for portable Oxygen Concentrators. These units are portable and will serve many in the coming weeks and months.
Here is the message from PRID Ashok Mahajan, Chair of the India COVID Task Force: "One of the avowed objectives of the Task Force is to help establish “ROTARY OXYGEN BANKS” in every metropolis in India. We aim to set up a Bank of Oxygen Concentrators in each city. The Oxygen Bank would loan an Oxygen Concentrator to a patient in need, with the proviso that after the immediate crisis is over, the concerned person would return the Concentrator to the Oxygen Bank. Such a Bank would be of help to a large number of people over an extended period of time.
Hopefully, this devastating wave of the COVID Pandemic would abate in a while. After that, the Oxygen Bank would be of immense value for any subsequent wave and would be a sensible fall-back option. The Oxygen Bank would also be of immense value to economically disadvantaged individuals suffering from ILD (Interstitial Lung Disease) or other Chest ailments that require Oxygenation for the patient.”
The price of each Oxygen concentrator in India is approximately US $1000 which includes shipping and handling. The goal of this Rotary International Project is to have the funds to purchase at least 100 units if not more.
Contacts:
Rotary District 7090 Governor Frank Adamson
Tel. 905-892-0200 Email Frank@D7090.org
Links:
- Indian Express: How Rotary clubs across states are aiding governments t in COVID-19 vaccination
- Rotary News: Rotary Task Force for COVID Vaccination in India (pdf)
