Here's yet another instance of the automobile industry extending a helping hand In the wake of the ongoing global health crisis caused by the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic. Mercedes-Benz India is to set up a temporary hospital with medical facilities and isolation wards for COVID-19 patients.

The newly developed medical facility in Mhalunge-Ingale village, Chakan Khed, will have isolation wards with a capacity to take care of 1,500 patients. Mercedes-Benz India will assist the Zila Parishad with all the necessary infrastructure including the medical equipment required to create a temporary OPD, infrastructure for stay, stretchers, wheel chairs, PPE kits and sanitizers which are essential in the smooth functioning of the hospital and isolation ward. The company has also directly supported the Grant Medical Foundation (Ruby Hall Clinic) by donating ventilators.

Martin Schwenk, Managing Director and CEO, Mercedes-Benz India said, “In these challenging times, we are trying to support the local community and the local authorities. The new medical facility will help support the local authorities and the people of the region with healthcare in the coming times, if the situation worsens. We stand together with our community and it remains our endeavour to support them and the authorities in every possible way. We hope for a steady recovery of the crisis and getting back to normalcy.”

This measure by the company will not only benefit the medical urgency of such challenging times but also benefit the community after closure of the temporary facility. After the easing of COVID-19, the facility will close down and the medical equipment will be donated to the civil hospital in Khed. Also, the assets from isolation wards will be given to the tribal youth hostels by Government authorities. Mercedes-Benz India is to also support 1,600 families from Khed and Viman Nagar area with dry ration and cleaning kits. This initiative will be executed through Mercedes-Benz India’s existing partner NGOs, Shashwat Trust and Ashraya Initiatives for children. This initiative will secure requirements for food and hygiene for these families till the end of May.

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