Royal Challengers Bangalore’s parent company Diageo has pledged Rs 45 crores to support India’s COVID public health infrastructure during the second surge of the pandemic. The initiative will help nodal Government Hospitals in 21 districts across the country to set up Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) Oxygen Plants to create long-term oxygen capacity.
Diageo will provide state governments with fully equipped, prefabricated 16-bed mini-hospital units with PSA oxygen plants in the 15 most critical districts. Diageo will also donate medical equipment including oxygen concentrators, oxygen cylinders, ventilator beds and other critical devices to public hospitals across 10 states.
Anand Kripalu, Managing Director and CEO, Diageo India & Chairman, RCB, said, “At a time when the country is facing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, we want to support the Government’s efforts and stand by the citizens of India. Long term medical infrastructure especially hospital beds and self-sufficiency in oxygen is what is needed most and we hope our contribution going into every State and UT will help play a part in India’s recovery. With this pledge, Diageo have so far contributed Rs 130 Cr towards Covid Relief.”
Starting March 2020, Diageo India have produced 300,000 litres of bulk hand sanitiser across 15 manufacturing units for use by public healthcare workers, donated 150,000 masks to 5 states’ Public Health departments and introduced 3 crore Rs healthcare insurance for bartenders.
Diageo India had also launched an INR 75 crore revival and recovery program – ‘Raising the Bar’, to support pubs, bars and restaurants.
On the other hand, Royal Challengers Bangalore have been using its reach on social channels to create awareness around COVID. RCB will sport a special Blue jersey when the IPL 2021 resumes to show solidarity and pay respect to frontline workers during these tough times. The players’ jerseys will then be auctioned and used for Covid relief.
