Pune, 2 April, 2020: SKODA AUTO Volkswagen India Private Limited (SAVWIPL) pledges financial aid of INR 1 crore towards the setup of the dedicated COVID -19 facility with 1100 beds with Sassoon General Hospital in Pune. The contribution is made towards essential medical consumables and critical care equipment for the medical team and patients fighting the COVID-19.

In addition, SAVWIPL will donate over 35,000 sanitizers to hospitals in Pune, Aurangabad and Mumbai and distribute over 50,000 food packets in the Aurangabad region. The company is also producing reusable face shields within the Chakan factory which will distributed amongst healthcare providers treating Covid-19 patients.

Face shields help protect the wearer's face from body fluids and can be worn in conjunction with masks while offering clarity for procedures. Designed to prevent fogging while being light weight to allow healthcare personnel to communicate freely talk at the same time be movement friendly. Approval has been obtained from Dr. Ajay Chandanwale, Dean of the Maharashtra State Government run Sassoon General Hospital. The Face masks produced by SAVWIPL has been certified by the team for Indoor and outdoor use, will be used in ICU while doing procedures and for COVID -19 OPD consultation. The transparent sheet that forms the shield,can be sanitized after 6-8 hours before reuse.

Considering the surging shortage of sanitizer’s in the market, SAVWIPL will donate over 35,000 sanitizers to Sassoon General Hospital (Pune), Kasturba Gandhi Hospital (Mumbai) and Government Hospital (Aurangabad). The company also lending its support to Annamitra Foundation who will be distributing 50,000 food packets to the needy people in and around Aurangabad till the lockdown is lifted. The company is also looking at utilising its global supply chain capabilities to organise essential medical supplies that India needs to fight the Covid-19 pandemic.