Helping frontline workers in Gandevi

It was about 11 in the night when Parimal Naik, member of RC Gandevi, RID 3060, received a distress call from Dr Pradnesh Parmar. “We had no masks or PPEs and we have to work with Covid patients tomorrow. I know your club will help as it always reaches out in times of need,” recalls Parmar telling Naik. The next morning the rural primary health centre at Gadat where Parmar works, received a care package from the club. “I was right, overnight we received PPEs, masks and sanitisers. I have no words to thank the Rotarians,” he adds.

RC Gandevi has been associated with 35 rural PHCs and child healthcare centres in Gujarat. “One after the other we received calls from these centres for PPEs, masks, sanitisers and thermometers. They came to us because they have faith in us,” says Naik. During the initial days of the corona outbreak, masks, gloves and sanitisers were sourced locally. “But we were aware of the growing needs, and hence we decided to reach out to our old partners and also file a global grant application,” he adds.

Most of the Covid warriors are our colleagues, family members, friends and partners and they need support to do their jobs.
– Parimal Naik, member, RC Gandevi

So far, the club has donated Covid-relief material worth $42,000. Without the support of TRF, AIPNO (Association of Indian Physicians of Northern Ohio, US) and the partnering clubs — RCs Bardoli, Vapi West, RID 3060; Emroy Druid Hills, RID 6900, US; RIDs 3054, 3053 — these donations would not have been possible, says Naik. “Most of the Covid warriors are our colleagues, family members, friends and partners and they need support to do their jobs.Thanks to TRF for sanctioning our grant in time, we were able to support them.”

Around 1,200 N95 masks, 27,000 triple-layered disposable masks, 650 bio trap masks and 8,000 khadi masks, 26,000 gloves, 1,500 PPE kits, 7,000 sanitisers, and 50 infrared thermometers were donated to PHCs, five government and charitable hospitals, policemen and health workers, along with food. “We have mapped out the hospitals’ requirements and are attending to them, one at a time,” he says.