The UK’s Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has launched an urgent appeal to businesses for assistance to help combat India’s deteriorating Covid crisis.
“In February, the sad total of Covid-related deaths in India had reduced to 100 per day – for a country of one point four billion people. Two months later, the situation has deteriorated significantly, becoming awful and even more tragic,” stated CBI President Lord Karan Bilimoria.
“There is a major crisis unfolding, and a huge requirement for all of us to tackle it. India faces a critical shortage of oxygen – that’s why we’re asking for help from the UK to provide oxygen cylinders, oxygen concentrators, oxygen manufacturing plants, and ventilators. But we also need help in procuring the drug Ramdesivir, which is so essential for acute cases in hospital. There is also a further requirement for PPE warehousing, transport, logistics and lateral flow testing devices.”
BUSINESS HEROES
The CBI is working the Indian High Commission and UK Government to identify companies that may be able to help address urgent shortages in India as the current wave of the COVID-19 has worsened. “CBI members have already rallied round and started to help with these items,” confirmed Bilimoria. “It’s been marvelous, and the generosity has been tremendous.”
However, India desperately needs the following supplies:
- Ventilators and breathing apparatus
- Lateral flow tests
- Empty, refillable Oxygen cylinders with 10 litres and 45 litres LMO capacity
- ISO container to facilitate transport of liquid oxygen to deficient areas
- Oxygen concentrators
- In situ oxygen manufacturing plants for hospitals
- Oxygen generator plants
- Bilevel positive airway pressure (BPAP) machines
- Medicines for Covid like Remdesivir and Favipiravir
- PPE
- Warehousing, transport & logistics
Please get in touch if you can provide assistance with any of the above. Companies and leaders in a position to help can email the CBI direct: businessheroes@cbi.org.uk.
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