Boat ambulances, isolation centres and more: How IDIA is aiding COVID-19 relief efforts in West Bengal

Increasing Diversity by Increasing Access to Legal Education (IDIA) has joined forces with organisations and individuals to provide aid to those in need in the State of West Bengal amid the COVID-19 pandemic..Given that there are a high number of COVID-19 cases in villages where there is little infrastructure and support, IDIA has undertaken the following efforts..Isolation centres in villages.IDIA will be setting up isolation centres in rural areas for people with mild symptoms of COVID-19. People in rural areas often don’t have resources such as space, medicines, and medical equipment to self-isolate. These isolation centres will be equipped with beds, medicines, oximeters, thermometers and other basic requirements. Doctors will also be available on video call. However, if the symptoms exacerbate, the patients will be moved to a hospital..Boat ambulances.In the Sundarbans, many remote villages can be best accessed through the waterways. In order to meet the needs of these remote villages, IDIA will be setting up boat ambulances as currently people are using public transport to cross rivers. These ambulances are also expected to halve the time taken to reach a hospital.The first such ambulance has been set up at Purbashripatinagar under Patharpratima police station, which is in a remote corner of Sunderbans. It has been equipped with medicines, thermometer, pulse oximeters, sanitisers, mineral water, PPE kits for attendants and the boatman etc. IDIA hopes to set up more such ambulances..Database of resources for West Bengal.IDIA has also prepared a database of resources for certain districts of West Bengal that will be useful for those fighting COVID-19. It can be accessed here.The database contains leads for hospital beds, oxygen cylinders and concentrators, plasma/blood donation centres, ambulance services, Covid testing centres, home care facilities, online doctor consultations, and meals delivery services.The leads in the database are being verified and updated periodically by a team of around 40 volunteers who are working all day. IDIA has also set up a helpline for those facing any trouble in accessing/understanding the database. Volunteers will be available on the following numbers between 10:30 am to 7:30 pm:+91 8972240058+91 7207161695+91 8240798829.IDIA will also be taking the following relief efforts:Launching COVID-19 sensitization drives along with distribution of masks, soaps, etc.Establishing blood donation camps.Organizing medical tests, including oximeter checks, at centres in rural West Bengal..One can help IDIA in its work by contributing and volunteering. To contribute, please visit, https://bit.ly/idia-response-to-covid19. For volunteering, please write to arnab@idialaw.org.