The COVID-19 pandemic has affected millions of lives all over the world. When the world was facing a global threat many unsung heroes stepped out to help the ones in need.
Recognising the need for quick and lasting action in its immediate society the Rotary Club of Nagpur Vision (RCNV) immediately swung into action the moment the country went into lockdown in March 2020.
As the lower strata of society which included slum dwellers, daily wagers and migrant labour were the hardest hit due to the unprecedented halt in their earnings. RCNV started foodgrain donation in many areas of Nagpur and distributed the much-needed daily rations of Rs. 8 lakhs.
However, during the course of this service, members of the club found that something more concrete and life-saving was required to aid the city administration in controlling the deadly virus that when RCNV started identifying areas of service where it could be of use with a permanent effect on society.
The Rotary International Global Grants an avenue which is useful in providing support involving large monetary sums while at the same time making service to society worthwhile. The grants are made up of Club contributions, Rotary District contributions, partner international club support, sponsor support etc. which are then aided by The Rotary Foundation to fund a large project.
RCNV, through its various activities in society, identified Swami Vivekanand Medical Mission, (SVMM) Khapri, Nagpur as a worthwhile partner in fulfilling, servicing, and utilising its first-ever Global Grant.
The Global Grant team at RCNV headed by Rtn. Past President Sohrab Kanga got in touch with the management at SVMM, headed by Dr Dilip Gupta, and came up with a project of setting up a Covid ICU at its hospital facilities.
It was decided that the RCNV Global Grant would equip the said ICU with equipment critical for Covid care and treatment. RCNV found an international partner in Rotary Club of Gyeongju Cheonma, South Korea, a part of Rotary International District 3630.
Seed funding was provided by RCNV Board of Directors of 2019-20 as well as prominent members and businessmen Purushottam Agrawal, Anwar Daud, Rtn. Ravleen Khurana and Rtn. Sarang Upganlawar with the support of Rotary District 3030 (the home district) Governor Rtn. Rajendra Bhamre. The Rotary International played its part during the pandemic by swiftly approving all projects related to Covid treatment and a total sum of Rs. 38,00,000/- was raised to fund the ICU.
SVMM started using the ICU at the peak of the pandemic second wave. During the second wave, almost 400 patients were treated at the SVMM Covid ICU.
The idea conceived and initiated in 2019-20 is being carried forward by the RCNV team of 2020-21 headed by Rtn. Jatin Sampat.
The ICU was formally inaugurated on August 7 at SVMM. The occasion was graced by DG Rtn Ramesh Meher, AG Rtn Mahesh Lahoti, Enclave Chair Rtn Kishore Rathi, SVMM management and staff, RCNV members, and spouses. The inauguration was done at the hands of DG Rtn Ramesh Meher.
Ashutosh Vaidya, Anand Madangopal, Pravin Murthy, and Ajax Thomas of Cardiac Design laboratories, Bengaluru, donated 10 units of Padma Vitals – high-end telemetric monitors, with accessories to SVMM on the day of inauguration which was handed over by PDG Vishwas on their behalf to Dr Dilip Gupta. The value of the donation is worth Rs 6,80,000/.