Responding to VHA, Sethi donates 24,000 litres of hand sanitizers to GMCH and IGGMCH
| Date :04-Apr-2020 |
Principal Correspondent :
VHA and SVAA commend the initiative and thank Maharashtra Government authorities for fast track clearances
Taking serious cognisance of shortage of sanitizers especially in Government Hospitals where doctors are treating coronavirus patients Jagtar Singh Sethi who has a distillery in Nagpur took initiative to produce 40,000 litres of hand sanitizers out of its entire alcohol reserves and donate 24,000 litres of sanitizers to Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) and Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Hospital (IGGMCH).
Dr Rajendra Shingane, Maharashtra Minister of Food and Drugs department has sought help from Dilip Walse Patil, Maharashtra Minister of State Excise to get maximum alcohol for the preparation of sanitizers. Walse-Patil immediately asked every district collectors to allow people to consume alcohol for the good cause. Vidarbha Hospitals Association (VHA) Convener Dr Anup Marar and Saraswati Vidyalaya Alumni Association (SVAA) ex-President; had requested assistance in his Saraswati Vidyalaya Alumni (SVAA) Group. Responding to the request Jagtar Singh Sethi who is also an alumnus of Saraswati Vidyalaya came forward. Principal Secretary- Excise and Maharashtra State Excise Commissioner fully supported to this cause.
Sethi stated all government authorities including excise, revenue, police and allied authorities have cleared the permissions in fast track manner. This initiative for the first time in Central India with help of Bacardi and all employees of Jagtar Singh Sethi was appreciated in all circles. Jagtar Singh Sethi added time has come for all people to similarly return the dues to motherland. More than 110 private hospitals of Vidarbha with total bed strength of more than 10000 had joined hands to form Vidarbha Hospitals Association which is aimed to help set quality standards, ensure cost effective quality health care to incoming needy patients, support statutory authorities to enhance the image of Nagpur as an exemplary health care destination and to protect the interests of health care service providers. VHA is also member of District Health Coordination Committee.
Jagtar Sigh Sethi conveyed Dr Anup Marar to interact with Muthukumar Vemban of M/s Bacardi. Subsequent to written appeal of Dr Anup Marar for at least 2,500 litres each in first installment to both colleges; Muthukumar Vemban immediately reverted back and stated “We at Bacardi believe that we grow when our communities thrive. For over 150 years, Bacardi worldwide has been participating in the growth of its communities and believes it is its duty to assist communities when needed.”. Muthukumar Vemban stunned all concerned when he stated Bacardi has generously assured to commit approximately 24,000 litres of hand sanitizers in all to this initiative in phase-wise manner to distribute the same free of cost to IGGMCH, GMCH to benefit all health care workers wherein COVID 19 patients are being managed. This undertaking will be led by Sanjay Nikam, Bacardi Plant Manager- Nagpur and Jagtar Singh Sethi, their partner in this noble venture. VHA led by Dr Ashok Arbat- President and Dr Alok Umre- Secretary complimented SVAA led by Rajendra Kulkarni -President and Mitesh Rambhia- Secretary for the SVian brotherhood and stated they are overwhelmed by the concern and proactive empathetic outlook shown by Bacardi and Jagtar Singh Sethi for the frontline health care workers serving COVID 19 patients. Consignment of committed hand sanitizers will be distributed by Bacardi and Jagtar Singh Sethi in phase wise manner to respective colleges in coordination with college authorities, Dr. Anup Marar- VHA Convener stated.