Round Table India mobilizes INR 3 Cr in partnership with Corporates

The facility was inaugurated by B. S. Yediyurappa, Chief Minister of Karnataka
Bengaluru: Round Table India (RTI) and corporate partners Embassy REIT, Blackstone, ANZ, Swiss Re Foundation and McAfee, mobilized Rs. 3 Cr. and handed over a 24 bed ICU facility to the Epidemic Diseases Hospital, Indiranagar under the leadership of CII (Confederation of Indian Industry). In response to the Chief Minister’s appeal for corporates to join hands in the battle against the Covid-19 pandemic, the partners donated much-needed life-saving equipment and manpower assistance. The facility was inaugurated by Shri B. S. Yediyurappa, Chief Minister of Karnataka; Dr. C. N. Ashwathnarayan, Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka; Dr. K. Sudhakar, Minister of Medical Education of Karnataka; Arvind Limbavali, Minister of Forest Department of Karnataka

Round Table India and the corporations identified the requirements of the hospital, shortlisted suppliers for the life-saving medical equipment, and raised funds towards activating this relief initiative. The ICU facility will benefit from HR backing from Cloudphysician and LabourNet with the support of Azim Premji Foundation for a period of three months. Additionally, the Health Department will provide ventilators for the hospital from the Prime Minister's Relief Fund.

Priyesh Shah, National President, Round Table India, said, “There is nothing more honorable than helping people during times of need. At this moment, when the world is in chaos and support is needed from all sectors of society, it is incredibly important for corporations to step up and help. I am incredibly grateful to our partners who have, through this wonderful initiative, made a very tangible and necessary contribution towards the welfare of society.”

Mike Holland, CEO, Embassy REIT, said, “We wish to thank the Honourable Chief Minister and the Department of Health for their leadership in bringing this public-private initiative to fruition. We are committed to doing all we can to support the health infrastructure during this crisis. I am extremely grateful for the faith demonstrated by our Corporate partners in our ability to implement this critical relief project and in joining us to mobilise our collective resources.”

Amit Kalra, Head Global Service Centre Bangalore, Swiss Re, said, "Swiss Re remains committed to the Indian market as it battles this severe second wave of COVID-19. We are making the best effort to provide holistic support to our staff, their immediate family members as well as the wider community in India during this challenging time. We deeply appreciate the opportunity to participate and contribute to this project that helps strengthen the health infrastructure and meet critical medical needs of the community."
 
Venkat Krishnapur, Vice President and Managing Director, McAfee India, added, "The second wave of COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on our communities and its ferocity has taken everyone by surprise. There is no better time for organizations to come together and do their part for the nation in this time of need. We are honoured to partner and set up the necessary medical infrastructure, that is the urgent need of the hour. We, at McAfee, sincerely hope that our efforts will complement the ongoing initiatives of the Government of Karnataka and the Department of Health and help enable the rapid upgradation of the critically needed relief project."
 
Pleased with the collaboration, SV Venkataraman, Managing Director, ANZ Bengaluru Service Centre, “Through this collaboration, ANZ is happy that this hospital will receive fully fitted out ICU beds and life-saving medical equipment, as this will go a long way in #fightingcovidtogether. Through our other CSR initiatives like the World Vision Australia’s India COVID-19 Appeal, we announced a $1 million donation to fund beds, oxygen machines and hospital medical supplies in some of the worst-hit districts of India. Over and above this, ANZ Bengaluru Service Centre is running a ‘fighting COVID together donation drive’ that supports CBM India Trust and Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled, Bangalore. The donation will provide nutritious food, hygiene kits to people with disability, underprivileged families, frontline workers and much-needed medical infrastructure & medical equipment to Government & charitable hospitals. In addition, ANZ will also match – dollar-for-dollar – employee and customer donations up to an additional AUS $1m. I am hopeful that the contributions from employees and customers will help fight the COVID 19 health crisis.”