Pernod Ricard India Foundation extends support to the West Bengal Health Department towards managing the COVID-19 crisis in the state

Pernod Ricard India Foundation pledges support towards strengthening West Bengal’s Government Hospital ICUs and public healthcare infrastructure. As the number of COVID-19 cases accelerate with lockdown restrictions easing across the country, it has become imperative for healthcare systems to be prepared for an exponential surge of cases on a war footing. 

Pernod Ricard India Foundation remains resolute in its efforts supporting the State Healthcare Departments and Public Service and Delivery professionals, at the forefront of the fight against the COVID-19 spread in India. 

To empower those fighting to protect the affected, PRI Foundation has pledged Rs. 15 crores towards healthcare across the country, both towards Critical Healthcare and protection, and prevention. 

1. Strengthening the ICUs as medical hospitals and quarantine facilities with Respiratory Systems/Ventilators, and ICU beds for treating Intensive cases.
2. Hand Sanitisers, Masks and Personal Protective Equipment for medical personnel involved in providing essential services.  
3. Healthcare Support for the communities around our plants.  

Talking about the various initiatives, Mr. Sunil Duggal, VP, Corporate Affairs, Pernod Ricard India, said, “As a responsible corporate citizen, Pernod Ricard India remains resolute in leaving no stone unturned to contributing to the ongoing efforts to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic in India by supporting our healthcare systems and frontline communities.  In these unprecedented times, it’s very crucial for all of us to come together and contribute in any way to our frontline force, maintain law, order and sanity. We are very grateful to the Bengal State health department and healthcare professionals, at the forefront against this fight with COVID-19. We are committed to support the state governments in reducing the demand-supply gap in the healthcare system for preventive, protective solutions, including Ventilators, ICU beds, PPE Kits, sanitisers and masks.”

Mrs. Mahua Banerjee, IAS Managing Director cum Commissioner, Health & Family Welfare Department, West Bengal, said “the state government is working rigorously for the prevention of the spread of the virus and to keep the people safe. In these tough times, we thank Pernod Ricard India for the contribution of the 2000 Litres Hand Sanitisers, 10 ICU Ventilators and 20 ICU fowler beds and 20000 masks, which will go a long way in supporting the health workers and strengthening the health infrastructure of the state”

Addressing the need for systematic preparedness to tackle an increasing influx of critical cases in the coming days, Pernod Ricard India Foundation is providing vital resource support to State Public Health Departments across the country with over 70 ventilators, 100 ICU beds in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Bengal, Delhi, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Jharkhand. 

In West Bengal, Pernod Ricard India foundation supported the Public Healthcare Infrastructure by providing 10 ICU Ventilators, 10 ICU Fowler Beds, 2000 Litres of IPA Hand Sanitiser and 20,000 Surgical 3Ply Masks. 

1. Strengthening the ICUs as medical hospitals and quarantine facilities with Respiratory Systems/Ventilators, and ICU beds for treating Intensive cases: India only has 0.55 beds per 1000 population (National Health Profile, 2019) with 12 states housing 70% of total population performing below this national figure. Among these there are only 5-8% ICU beds available for critical care. As the number of cases grow, it is bound to increase pressure on the healthcare system manifolds with growing demand of ventilators, isolation and personal protective equipment.

These New Generation Advanced ICU ventilators are approved by the state governments respective Medical Sciences units, and costs between 10-20 lakhs. These imported ventilators, made by reputed brands like DRAEGER and BELLAVISTA (IMT Medical, Switzerland) and other brands, with Invasive, and Non-invasive modes, Integrated Diagnostic Capabilities, AVM (Adaptive Ventilation modes), which can be very helpful and reduce number of intervention required to operate Ventilator, High Flow Oxygen Therapy (HFOT), Animated Lung, Optimal synchronisation: AUTO RISE, AUTO SYNC, AUTO LEAK features & other features for Adult + Paediatric patients in critical times. In the coming days, more Ventilators and ICU beds will be set up in the ICUs in other states.

2. Up till now, State health departments across have been supported with more than 4 lakh medical masks, PPE Kits, more than 4 lakh litres of alcohol-based hand sanitisers, Thermal Scanners, for use by healthcare professionals, and the frontline force for taking care of the affected population, and personal prevention. 

As a responsible corporate citizen, Pernod Ricard India remains resolute in leaving no stone unturned to contributing to the ongoing efforts to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic in India by supporting critical healthcare systems and local communities.