Industry Leaders and Organisations Particpate on a Large Scale in India’s Fight Againt Covid-19

The second wave of COVID-19 has impacted India with unimaginable force. Every day, India is witnessing an average of 3.5 lakh cases of coronavirus infections. The pandemic has tested and severely impacted the country’s economy and medical infrastructure. But the initiatives of individuals and organizations have made a huge difference to the workforce. This is helping the nation's economy to tick along. From paying salaries to families of deceased employees to supporting them with jobs; covering the cost of medical assistance and vaccination to dedicating funds for these employees; startups have been implementing multiple measures to ease the fight against COVID-19.

Visionet to bear the entire COVID-19 vaccination cost for employees

"A pandemic needs more urgent measures and we need to walk our talk, and so Visionet is bearing the complete vaccination costs for all its staff, be they full-time, contractual or at the intern level. The company is already in advanced discussions with private service providers for vaccination. We will soon begin the drive with government approvals and procurement of vaccines," Alok Bansal, CEO, and MD of Visionet BFSI said. The company has also partnered with local medical organizations to provide medical aid, online consultations and supporting diagnostics.

Urban Company sets up Covid-19 fund in the memory of a departed employee

In another instance, Urban Company announced a Mohit Agrawal Covid Relief Fund. The fund, in memory of Agrawal, the company’s director of engineering had succumbed to Covid-19. Abhiraj Singh Bhal, Co-founder, Urban Company shared that the company will use the fund to help its service partners, their families and the community with medical assistance and bereavement support. "Urban Company, its founders and employees are jointly making a cumulative contribution of INR 1 Cr towards this relief fund. We will also match all contributions rupee to rupee, to double the charity by its employees," the company stated.

Spice Money will help rural citizens with Covid Vaccination registration

Rural Fintech Startup, Spice Money has launched a dedicated assistance initiative for Covid vaccination registration to enable rural citizens to register through its dense network across 18000+ pin codes. The company has also initiated a special drive to spread awareness and educate its banking correspondent partners (Spice Money Adhikaris) about the priority vaccination available to them. Spice Money Adhikari network covering 95% of India’s rural pin codes will facilitate people to register and book an appointment for vaccination. They are also working to dispel vaccine-related myths that may exist in smaller communities.

Cashfree will add equal donation received by Mission Oxygen to fight COVID-19

Fintech startup Cashfree has pledged to support Mission Oxygen, a campaign by Democracy People Foundation. The campaign aims to help hospitals across India get access to oxygen concentrators. Thus, in association with online crowdfunding platform Ketto, Cashfree will contribute ₹1 for every ₹1 received as a donation on the platform, up to a total of ₹40 lakhs, for oxygen concentrators. During the campaign, Cashfree will also be the exclusive payment gateway for Ketto.

UnitedHealth Group to provide $1 million for oxygen support in the fight against COVID-19 in India

UnitedHealth Group, through the United Health Foundation, will donate $1 million (₹7.4 crores) in response to the growing coronavirus crisis in India. This donation extends the company’s global commitment to fighting COVID-19, including a previous donation of $1.5 million (₹11 crores) to India.

The contribution will fund the procurement of 2,500 oxygen concentrators for treating severe COVID-19 infections. The company has also stated that it will make the grant available through the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum. NITI Aayog will directly receive the oxygen concentrators for hospitals across India.

Citi Commits Additional INR200 Crore to Support COVID-19

Citi announced a total $27 million fund spanning the next three financial years. Currently, it has pledged $10 million towards the procurement of oxygen supplies, adding beds to hospitals, diagnostic testing systems, personal protection kits and other supplies for India’s frontline healthcare workers. The company will further utilize the fund to procure food and hygiene supplies for low-income families.

Infosys will provide multiple Covid-19 relief measures to its employees

Infosys has set up COVID care centres in offices in Pune and Bangalore, and more were on the way; some campuses also have set up vaccination centres. Notably, they are not just for workers but their families too. "These centres would be managed by Ruby Hall hospital for Pune, and Manipal Hospitals for Bengaluru," Infosys said in an e-mailed statement.