Tata Steel Foundation reaches out to 5.12 lakh people in 25 states in last 60 days
The medical and CSR initiatives launched by Tata Steel continue to run in full steam and reinforce the Company’s resolve to fight the pandemic.
Tata Main Hospital (TMH) currently has 50 Covid-19 positive patients and 58 COVID-19 suspects in the isolation ward. Two COVID-19 patients are currently being treated in the ICU. All the patients are being monitored constantly and are in medically stable condition. The hospital has conducted 2717 RT-PCR tests so far; achieved the highest mark of 194 tests in a single day on May 28. A majority of the COVID patients at TMH are asymptomatic.
TMH is ensuring a holistic environment for Covid-19 patients to enable recovery. This includes regular monitoring of vitals (body temperature, heart rate, respiration, oxygenation etc.), provision of medicines and nutritious food, hygiene and care.
Tata Steel Foundation’s (TSF’s) Combat Covid-19 ten-point agenda, launched more than two months ago, continues to deliver help and care to people not just in Jamshedpur but other states as well. A large number of volunteers are also joining the mission in every way possible. The programmes, including meal distribution, aligning farmers to households, bridging communication gaps within communities, cash for work, distribution of ration packets etc. are continuing in full force.
Tata Steel Foundation, through its various initiatives, has reached out to ~25000 migrant workers from 23 states in last 10 days. The Foundation launched a new initiative named ‘Hope Springs’ last week to help migrant workers returning home and has reached out to 7000 workers in last 8 days. As part of the Hope Springs initiative, the foundation has set-up an outpost on NH-33 highway to help the migrants in their journey back home. Each day, about 700 to 1000 migrants seek help at this outpost. This outpost is open from 5 am to 10 pm to help migrants with meals, ration kits, medical help, and more. A team of doctors stationed at the outpost has treated and helped about 550 people with basic medical essentials.
In another important initiative, TSF and the district administration is working together with nine NGOs to do the skills assessment of the migrant workers. More than 2000 people have been assessed so far.
In the last 60 days, TSF has reached out to 5.12 lakh people in 25 states. 26 lakh meals have been distributed since the beginning of the first lockdown which started on March 25, 2020. 42,340 ration kits have been distributed so far which would suffice as meals for a family of five people for 20 days. As part of the ‘Cash for Work’ initiative, the foundation has reached out to ~15000 people to ensure a minimum wage of Rs 1200. In addition, distribution of masks, and digital bridges programme are also going on in full swing. TSF has added 250 farmers in their watershed programme who can further avail the government schemes where they receive 100 free saplings to plant and grow their own produce and eventually create a stream of income.
In Jamshedpur city, the sanitisation work is progressing as per schedule. Tata Steel Utilities and Infrastructure Services Limited (TSUISL) team is also evaluating the conditions to re-start the construction activities in the city. TSUISL has also deployed electric vehicles (e-vehicles) for various purposes and hopes to encourage its use. In view of the COVID-19 situation and the need to practice social distancing, TSUISL urges its 49000 customers in the Jamshedpur city to download the Zimmedaar Nagrik Application and avail the services online while staying home. So far, 5500 customers have downloaded the app.
The TSUISL Immunisation Centre has been shifted to a new address (Munshi Road, GP Slope in Kadma, backside of Green Enclave, contact: 0657 6652309); the timings are Monday to Saturday – 9 am to 4 pm with lunch break between 1 pm and 2 pm. All Government supplied vaccinations are available at this centre. These vaccines protect children against diseases like diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, tuberculosis, hepatitis -B, Rota virus infection, measles, rubella, Japanese Encephalitis.
As a responsible corporate, Tata Steel will continue with its various interventions and initiatives to help the community. The Company is leveraging traditonal and digital media to create and reinforce awareness on 4S – Safety with mask, Social distancing, Self-hygiene and Sanitisation. With increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases, it is imperative for people and society to take all necessary precautions (including social distancing, usage of masks, hand washing etc.) and collectively fight this pandemic.