As the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in India worsens, many big companies are stepping in to help get medicines and medical supplies where they are in short supply. For example, Amazon, along with a few other industry partners and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), will help bring 8.000 oxygen concentrators and BiPAP (bi-level positive airway pressure) machines to India. Amazon, in partnership with ACT Grants, the Temasek Foundation and the Pune Platform for COVID-19 Response (PPCR), is transporting more than 8.000 oxygen concentrators and 500 BiPAP machines from Singapore. Medical equipment will be donated to hospitals and public institutions to increase their ability to help patients infected with Covid-19 in various cities.
Shipments land in Mumbai
The medical equipment that Amazon India is helping to send to India. (Image credit: Amazon India) Amazon bears the cost of airfreight of the oxygen concentrators and BiPAP machines, procured through various donors including ACT Grants and PPCR from Singapore to India, via Air India and others international companies. Amazon will manage the movement of these oxygen concentrators and other donations from the local airport to the identified hospitals and institutions. The first of these shipments landed in Mumbai yesterday (April 25) with most shipments expected to be completed by April 30. "We strongly stand behind the country, deploying our global logistics network to urgently transport the oxygen concentrators needed to meet the country's immediate needs," Amit Agarwal, global senior vice president and country head for Amazon India said in a company blog post. "We continue to explore other meaningful ways to help save lives and are committed to supporting the nation at this time of crisis," he added. Additionally, Amazon India buys more than 1.500 oxygen concentrators and other essential medical equipment. This amount will be donated to hospitals and medical facilities in partnership with various non-profit organizations.