Covid Relief Efforts
Tamil Nadu (Chennai) has been facing an unprecedented Health scare in the form of second wave of Covid forcing upon the unfortunate citizens a severe lockdown from May 2021 onwards. We are undergoing a repeat of repercussions of covid as last year, like joblessness, no income, yearning for one square meal, scarcity of medical equipments and even beds in Hospitals.
We need to safeguard the health and safety of the 1050 residents, children, patients, caregivers, social workers, staff and volunteers of Udavum Karangal units located in Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai and Tiruvannamalai.
In addition, we also have the responsibility of helping the 2000 families in the neighboring townships in Chennai who are suffering without jobs or income. These families are migrant labourers and daily wage earners who work in the local vegetable markets, shops, or are construction workers.
Also as part of our commitment to the community, we have been distributing various relief items to different sections of the society as given below:
Distribution of 3 ply face mask
Mr. Bart who is our well wisher from Netherlands has sent 4 lakhs Disposable 3 –Layer face masks to Udavum Karangal. It was a great effort taken by him at a short notice. Now all our residents and children are wearing masks. We have distributed these masks to our volunteers, teachers and staff. We have also donated masks within the district to Post Office, Primary Health Centre, EB Staff, Government Hospitals, Traffic Police and Thooimai Paniyaalargal (Frontline workers).
Distribution of Essential kit to needy families
Udavum Karangal identified the needy people from the neighbourhood of our Home at Thiruverkadu, especially those who have lost their jobs due to the pandemic lockdown, especially the Barbers, Launderers, Auto drivers, construction workers and daily wage earners and distributed the Essential kit consisting of 25 kg rice and groceries which would last for 2 months.
Our Social Workers understood the needs of Narikurars, a tribal community by visiting them personally. They have asked for Essential Kit with Rice and provisions for all the 100 families. Udavum Karangal gave them the Essential kit consisting of 25 Kg of rice, 52 items of provision and masks.
Helping out the Paraplegic patients
Udavum Karangal has taken up a special task in identifying around 80 patients who are paraplegic.
Paraplegia is a spinal cord injury, caused be due to an accident or any other diseases inter-alia, that paralyses the lower limbs resulting in severe damage to the spinal cord and(or) the nervous system. Paraplegia mainly affects the trunk, legs, and the pelvic region, resulting in loss of movement. Such patients end up in permanent immobility and/or cognitive impairment.
The Social Workers of Udavum Karangal have visited the residence of such Paraplegic patients, met their family members and distributed the Essential Kit consisting of 25 Kgs rice and provision items.
Providing Food Packets for Breakfast
Udavum Karangal taken up the task of distributing food for a period of one month to one hamlet consisting of Narikurars, a tribal community, which earns their living by selling beads and honey. They normally live in a small group of families. One such group stays at Amma Nagar, Poonammallee Taluk, Chennai.
Breakfast is being provided by Udavum Karangal daily in the morning to 150 people of the community.
Distribution of Pulse Oximeter
Sri Meenakshi Temple Society, Pearland Texas, USA, who is our Well wisher, donated 300 Oximeters to Udavum Karangal. We have distributed these Oximeters to all the Primary Health Centres in Chennai district and to Government Hospitals. We have also distributed to all the units of Udavum Karangal.
Provided Medical Equipments to various Government Hospitals
Government Medical College & Hospital, Thiruvallur
Udavum Karangal donated medical equipments (Oxygen Flow Meter, Disposal Cap, Bio Waste Bin, Pediatric Nebulizer Kit, BP Apparatus, Oxygen Cylinder Key, Nitrile Gloves, Crash Cart, Weighing Machine and Drug Trolley). These items costing Rs.2.87 lakhs were handed-over to Dr. Arasi Srivathsan, Dean of Government Medical College & Hospital, Thiruvallur.
Omandurar Hospital, Chennai
Based on the request from the Dean of Omandurar Medical College, Udavum Karangal donated the medical equipments such as Oxygen Flow Meter, Oxygen Face Mask, Face Shield, Latex Gloves, Glucose Strip, Adult Diapers and masks for a value of Rs.4.26 lakhs. These were handed-over to Dr. R. Jayanthi, Dean of Omandurar Medical College and Hospital, Chennai.
Kilpauk Medical College, Chennai
Kilpauk Medical College Hospital, Chennai, has been doing yeoman service to the Covid Patients and has been saving so many lives. The Dean of the KMC Hospital requested us to provide covid related Medical equipments and Mobility Aids.
Udavum Karangal took up the opportunity and provided the following equipments worth Rs.12.78 Lakhs: Contour Plus Glucometer, Contour Plus Test Strips, CPAP (large), B Type Flow meter, Central Line O2 Flow meter, Thermal Scanner, SS Wheel Chair, and 3 Ply Surgical Masks.
The items were handed-over to Dr. R. Santhimalar, Dean of KMC Hospital, Chennai, in the presence of Dr. R. Narayana Babu, Director of Medical Education and Dr. Thirunavukarasu, Medical Superintendent, KMCH.
Government Peripheral Hospital – Periyar Nagar, Chennai
Medical equipments such as Needle Cutter, LED BP Apparatus, Digital BP Apparatus, Nebuliser, Thermal Gun, Oxygen Face Mask, Non Rebreathable Mask, Bed Pan, Urine Can, Kidney Tray, Accu Check Glucometer, Accu Check Glucometer strips, Torch Light, Emergency Light, Sterillium, and Face Shield costing Rs.3.97 lakhs were handed-over by Mr. S.Vidyaakar, Founder Secretary to the Superintendent Dr. Hemalatha, Government Peripheral Hospital, Periyar Nagar, Chennai in the presence of the Director of Medical Education.
Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital – Chennai
Medical equipments (Face Mask, Semi Fowler cots, SS Tolley and Water Dispenser) worth Rs.2.85 lakhs was handed-over by Mr. S. Vidyaakar, Founder Secretary to the Dean Dr. Rajan, Rajiv Gandhi Government Hospital, Chennai.
Udavum Karangal could help such hospitals that save lives and also individuals only with the ardent support of Well Wishers and donors from USA.
Donated 35nos Oxygen Concentrators to Dr. Kamakshi Memorial Hospital
Dr. Kamakshi Memorial Hospital, Pallikaranai is serving the Covid patients with acute respiratory problems. With the limited Ventilators and O2 concentrators, the hospital was not able to treat all the covid patients. Based on the request made by the Hospital, Udavum Karangal donated 25 Oxygen Concentrators and 10 Bipap Machines on an emergency medical care for a value of Rs. 47.36 lakhs. The Hospital authorities thanked Udavum Karangal for the immediate response in supplying the much needed equipments. The funds needed for this project was donated by supporters from US.
