While India’s massive vaccination program against Covid-19 to restore normalcy is currently on, the country has been hit by a second wave of more transmissible mutant variants of the Covid virus causing a sudden spike in the numbers of those affected. This has led to a shortage of oxygen in the hospitals.

Covid-19 in its advanced stages leads to inflammation of lungs followed by Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, making it tough to breathe. These patients need oxygen support which is in short supply.
 

 

Workers at a Shree Cement oxygen plant loading oxygen cylinders for hospital supply.

 

The Shree Cement Management team, which has always put the safety and well-being of people above business, has pledged to maintain a steady supply of oxygen from all its units. Last year, the company constructed a dedicated ward for Covid patients in the Government Hospital of Pali district in Rajasthan. This centre is now operating as a critical care unit.

The Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) team of Shree Cement has been working with women in the villages to get masks stitched, thereby providing them with a source of income in these hard times and also addressing the need for Covid safety protocols. The CSR team has also been creating awareness about Covid and provided medical support, ambulance etc., in remote villages adjoining the plants’ locations.