To aid the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic that has currently gripped India and the world, Mercedes-Benz India has taken up the initiative to set up a temporary hospital, complete with medical facilities and isolation wards for COVID-19 patients.

The new facility has been set up at  Mhalunge-Ingale village, Chakan Khed, and will have isolation wards with a capacity to take care of 1500 patients.  The car maker 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, sanitizers etc. 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.

Once the COVID-19 situation has eased, the facility will close down and the medical equipment will be donated to the civil Hospital of Khed. Also, the assets from isolation wards will be given to the tribal youth hostels by Government authorities.

Mercedes-Benz India wil also support 1600 families from Khed and Viman Nagar area. The company will provide them 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

Martin Schwenk, Managing Director & 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.”