Bengaluru: Bosch India has handed over the medical aid received from its parent company, Robert Bosch GmbH, to NITI Aayog as part of its initiative to combat the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in India.
The consignment was handed over to Amitabh Kant, chief executive officer, NITI Aayog, by Soumitra Bhattacharya, managing director, Bosch Limited, and president of Bosch Group in India, via a virtual event.
The aid shipment worth about EUR 1 million consists of 92 ventilators and 438 oxygen concentrators, 10 oxygen cylinders, and other medical supplies such as face masks and glass cannula (a device used to deliver supplemental oxygen or increased airflow), from major manufacturers, a company press release said.
Bosch selected these certified products in consultation with the Indian Red Cross to ensure that the doctors and medical staff can use the equipment without any additional training.
“I would like to sincerely thank Robert Bosch GmbH for extending its support by sending medical supplies to help India combat the COVID-19 pandemic. We thank the Indian consulate in Germany, Indian Red Cross and Bosch India who helped expedite this consignment in a swift and efficient manner. Bosch India has been consistently supporting the central and state governments through several initiatives and we appreciate its efforts to help India fight this pandemic,” Kant said.
Bhattacharya said, “The second wave of COVID-19 pandemic has been far more damaging for the nation. As a socially responsible company, Bosch is already doing its part wherever possible. We are thankful to our parent company for helping the nation during such a difficult situation.”
Besides the current aid, Bosch India had pledged INR 50 crore last year for fighting the spread of COVID-19.
“Bosch India has also invested in ventilator repairs, establishing COVID Care Centers, and upgrading primary healthcare centers around its facilities and is committed to providing continued support and work with societal engagements during COVID-19 while taking care of our employees, their families and the society at-large,” the release added.