India is experiencing an enormous spike in Covid-19 cases and deaths. The country has set an unwelcome world record for new coronavirus infections, with 349,691 more cases in the last 24 hours. Patients are dying without oxygen amid Delhi surge with 1 death every 5 minutes.
The Lotus Trust, the welfare arm of Bhaktivedanta Manor in Hertfordshire is working with the ISKCON Temple in Delhi. This help has come at the most vital time for India.
The money raised by Lotus trust, in a matter of a few weeks has allowed a university premise to be converted into a Covid nursing care center with an initial capacity of 250 beds (potential to increase to 1,000 beds) and provide the Covid care facilities free of cost to all comers. This will provide care for roughly 2,500-5,000 patients over an initial 3-month period.
The charity has also been able to assist in the distribution of free meals to the individuals and families that are not able to cook or afford food due to the current circumstances. They target a distribution of roughly 2.7m meals over the 3 month period. 1 patient, for 1 day, can be fed for as little as £11, and 100 hot meals can be provided for a donation of just £55.
Dr Sanjiv Agarwal a consultant Urologist at Imperial College and Director of the Lotus Trust said “to achieve this enormous help at this scale and sustain the care for 3 months, will cost £1.85m. With donations so far received, they have already started treating patients in hundreds of beds and the daily cooking and distribution of 30,000 meals” So far, the Lotus Trust has collected £140,000 with the help of the congregation and friends of Bhaktivedanta Manor.
He said that he was well aware some other charities are struggling to reach those who need it. Dr Agarwal said “The Lotus Trust is constantly ensuring that 100% of the donations are making a difference and I am constantly in touch with those providing this service to make sure that it reaching those who need it most”
