Mail News Service
Jamshedpur, Jan. 21: In the year 2020, in spite of the grave crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic the Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) East Singhbhum has continued its activities of serving the humanity. 65 blood donation camps were organised during the year which collected 5965 units of blood.
740 surgeries were conducted during 22 free eye camps, 16 first aid health camps, 10 Safety First Aid Disaster Management Training programmes, running of vaccination centre, requisite ambulance service, grant for patients from the weaker sections of the society, besides extending relief from 26th March to 25th June 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic.
For three months, Red Cross Building became a war room as nearly 100 volunteers from the Red Cross Society and 50 members from Ex Army Welfare Association were involved in reaching relief to the needy during lockdown.
These volunteers distributed dry ration to one lakh houses initially for one week, 15 days and again for one month. Every day 40,000 to 45,000 were provided cooked food for which Tata Steel has extended financial help to a great extent. Under the guidance of Red Cross Society, relief centre was opened in Mango under the leadership of Asif Mehmood, patron of Red Cross Society and Nazam Ansari.
With assistance from Nuvoco Vistas, a relief centre was started at Jojobera, with help from Ram Manohar Lohia Seva Sansthan, another one at Baharagora actively worked to alleviate the suffering of the poor during lockdown. In addition, with aid from the district administration and Supply Department of Jharkhand, residents of containment zone areas were given one month’s dry ration.
During the pandemic more than 2 lakh bottles of sanitizers were distributed at Red Cross Bhawan. One lakh cotton masks, 50,000 surgical masks were provided to district administration and police. To create awareness on washing hands, 25000 soaps were distributed. To procure corona testing equipment, Red Cross provided monetary help of Rs 22 lakhs to MGM Medical College & Hospital. To save COVID-19 patients, 440 units of Plasma donations were arranged by Red Cross. With assistance from Nuvoco Vistas, Red Cross has arranged 440 woolen blankets which have been distributed at eye camps organized by the Red Cross.