HEALTHCARE
Responding to the COVID-19 pandemic
Supporting protective gear and critical equipment:
In times of crisis, it is often those we don’t see, the unsung heroes – the doctors, nurses, other healthcare workers, police officers, fire department personnel – who get us through.
Given Cognizant Foundation’s strong focus on healthcare, our COVID-19 relief efforts in 2020 focused on protecting frontline workers and strengthening the healthcare system across Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, NCR, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and West Bengal. The Foundation donated 7,10,000+ protective gear for healthcare and other frontline workers, and 1,100+ critical medical equipment to strengthen health systems.
The Foundation donated personal protective gear and critical care medical equipment such as ventilators, multi-para monitors, ECG machines, and infrared thermometers to 61 Government Hospitals combating COVID-19.
Fighting shoulder to shoulder with healthcare workers were officials in the police, fire and other departments. We donated personal protective gear to frontline workers from 19 such departments to keep them safe from the pandemic.
The Foundation also extended support to 14 existing healthcare partners and other not-for-profit institutions with protective gear and critical medical equipment to help them combat COVID-19.
Setting up and supporting COVID Care Facilities:
The second wave of COVID-19 that hit India in 2021 resulted in exponentially increasing cases resulting in a severe crunch on the country’s healthcare infrastructure. The Foundation recognised the strain on the healthcare system due to rising COVID-19 cases and decided to support augmenting the healthcare infrastructure in the country.
As part of Cognizant’s Operation C3 - Cognizant Combats COVID-19, the Foundation took on priority the setting up of COVID-19 Care facilities and supporting about 800 beds in COVID Care Centres and hospitals across India, supplementing oxygen supplies and critical medical equipment required for lifesaving treatment.
The Foundation worked closely with the Government and reputed not-for-profit partners to mobilise and operationalise our response in 8 cities of India – Bengaluru, Chennai, Coimbatore, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, New Delhi, and Pune.
Supporting vaccination of Persons with Disabilities:
According to World Health Organization, persons with disabilities are categorized as vulnerable populations during public health emergencies, as they face an increased risk of contracting infections due to existing health conditions, inequities in access to quality healthcare, and challenges in reaching support service providers for vaccinations.
Under Operation C3, the Foundation also supported COVID-19 vaccinations for persons with disabilities and their caregivers in the Bengaluru Rural District, Karnataka, and the slums of Kolkata, West Bengal. We worked with local NGOs and Government Primary Health Centres in both locations to identify and mobilise the beneficiaries to provide them with both doses of the vaccine, along with post-vaccination support. Over 19,000 people benefitted from this vaccination drive.
