B’luru: Archbishop Peter Converts School Campus into a 100-bed Covid Care Centre

By Verghese V Joseph –

Bengaluru: In a significant development that can have a lasting impact in the battle against Covid-19 in the city, Most Rev. Dr. Peter Machado, the Archbishop of Bangalore, under the flagship initiative of Jeevan Jyothi Trust, inaugurated a 100-bed Jeevan Jyothi Covid Care Centre, in collaboration with St Martha’s Hospital on Monday. The centre is located at St. Joseph’s School, Briand Square near KR Market. Azim Premji Foundation has come forward to support the initiative.

As the number of daily Covid-19 cases continue to take a toll on the city’s already overburdened healthcare infrastructure, the Archdiocese of Bangalore quickly moved in to cater to the medical needs of the suffering patients. Additionally, the Archdiocese has given four schools to be utilized as Covid Care Centres.

From among the available number of educational institutions under the Archdiocese, the sprawling campus of St Joseph’s School, Briand Square, Mysore Road was chosen for the Covid Care Centre.

The Archbishop of Bangalore formerly inaugurated the Centre. This will come as a huge relief to people who have tested positive and need isolation can walk in and avail of the medical care and oxygen to stabilize their saturation levels. The medical staff and administration of St Martha’s Hospital will supervise the Centre.

For the past couple of weeks, Bangalore has been overwhelmed by the massive surge of Covid patients gasping for breath and desperately in need of the precious oxygen.  There are patients whose saturation levels are dangerously dropping and badly need of either an ICU or a ventilator bed. It is common sight that the patients and their families make innumerable calls and run from hospital to hospital seeking a bed. This noble initiative is expected to ease the pressure on the already overburdened hospitals.

This Covid Centre initiative follows many such relief and support services undertaken by the Archdiocese of Bangalore. To name a few, ‘Here I Am’ a complete Covid burial services to the hapless family who have lost their near and dear ones and have nowhere go to give an honourable and dignified farewell in their last journey and complete the rituals as per their traditional and religious customs. Food kits for the poor families is another wonder initiative.

Like, a similar centre has been set up at a Church-run school in Kolar Gold Fields. Similarly, another touching initiative is that the Covid volunteers lending a helping hand at various hospitals. Counselling is too is offered to patients who are emotionally broken by trained and qualified counsellors. Besides the above, a one-point helpline “Breath of Life” has also established to provide a shoulder of support to the suffering masses.

Monsignor C Francis, Vicar General and Parish Priest of St Patrick’s Church; Rev Sr Gracy, Superior of St Martha’s Hospital, Rev. Dr Christopher Vimalraj Hiruthya, Secretary, Health Commission, Rev. Fr Cyril Victor Joseph, Director ACC and several dignitaries, priests and lay leaders were present at the occasion.

Contact Jeevan Joyoti Covid Centre for details before visiting:  7411237622.