KOCHI:
In view of increasing demand for beds for Covid positive patients, Aster Medcity has set up a 100-bed Field hospital in a building owned by BPCL Kochi refinery at Ambalamugal, to serve the needy. Aster Volunteers, the global CSR programme of Aster DM Healthcare, has signed an MoU with Geojit Foundation to support the first 50 beds Aster Geojit Covid Field Hospital which will start accepting patients from Wednesday.
Geojit Foundation has funded the initiative with Rs. 75 lakhs, while Aster Medcity hospital set up the facility with all the necessary medical equipments and ensured recruitment and training of doctors, nurses and paramedics to manage the facility. The facility was inaugurated by Hibi Eden MP in the presence District Collector S. Suhas, C.J George, Managing Trustee, Geojit Foundation; Ambili Vijayaraghavan, Chief Operating Officer, Aster Medcity Hospital and Latheef Kasim, Senior Manager, Aster DM Foundation.
Dr. Azad Moopen, Founder Chairman and Managing Director of Aster DM Healthcare, said, “Humanity is facing the toughest challenge of our life-time. Covid-19 is ravaging through countries world over and bringing life to a halt. Being a responsible healthcare provider, we consider it as our responsibility to serve patients in spite of the risks and challenges. The setting up of a Field Hospital exclusively for Covid patients at Kochi in association with Government is aimed at this. We have already set up 3 Covid Care Field hospitals in New Delhi, Kozhikode and Kottakkal to support India’s fight against the pandemic. We sincerely hope that this initiative will help many more patients.”
Speaking on the partnership, C.J George, said, “One of the core principles of Geojit Foundation is to support the health and well-being of the marginalized section of the society who do not have access to proper care. In this we are aligned with Dr. Azad Moopen’s vision and the purpose of Aster Volunteers to help people in need. In this humanitarian crisis plaguing our countrymen and the State of Kerala, we are glad to join hands to help people in need.”
“We have been working with the district authorities to bring the best of facilities, equipments, treatment protocols and staff to the field hospital in the BPCL campus. This adds significant capacity for us to treat a larger number of Covid patients and play a significant role in aiding people in need from Kochi and neighbouring areas,” said Ambili Vijayaraghavan, Chief Operating Officer of Aster Medcity Hospital.
