Bhubaneswar: District Collectors of the Aspirational Districts of Odisha have been informed that Piramal Foundation is going to assist them in providing home-care support to COVID-19 patients who are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms.
Aspirational Districts of Odisha are Balangir, Dhenkanal, Gajapati, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Koraput, Rayagada, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur and Nuapada.
The Abhiyaan is being part of a special initiative, in which local leaders, civil societies and volunteers work with District Administrations to address emerging problems across key focus areas of the Aspirational Districts Program.
The Abhiyaan will be led by District Magistrates in partnership with local NGOs, which will enlist and train volunteers to connect with patients through inbound/outbound calls.
Piramal Foundation will work with District Collectors to support the training of NGOs and volunteers.
While launching the campaign, NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant said, this is a significant initiative that responds to immediate needs and will provide long-term support to India’s poorest communities in the Aspirational Districts by addressing the lasting impact of COVID-19.’
The campaign is expected to play a key role in district preparedness for managing nearly 70 Percent of Covid cases at home, reducing pressure on the health system, and stemming the spread of fear amongst the people. The campaign will also undertake capacity building of citizens for correct usage of Oxygen concentrators that have been supplied to these districts.
NGOs will mobilize local volunteers to provide home-care support to those affected, based on the guidelines of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Volunteers will be trained to support 20 affected families each by educating caretakers to follow COVID protocols, provide psycho-social support and timely updates about patients to the administration.
In line with Piramal Foundation’s value of Sewa, it aims to reach every affected person in all the Aspirational Districts.
With NITI Aayog and Piramal Foundation launched Surakshit Hum Surakshit Tum Abhiyaan in 112 Aspirational Districts on 8 June to assist District Administrations, the District Collectors have been advised by NITI Aayog to take a collaborative approach in this regard.
All Stakeholders—Government, NGOs, Communities, and others—to join hands and offer their service in this initiative of the Aspirational Districts Collaborative said Piramal Group Chairman Ajay Piramal.