Syed Khalique Ahmed | India Tomorrow
NEW DELHI—A delegation of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) led by its national Vice-President Engineer Mohammad Salim visited the 250-bed COVID facility set up at the Bhai Lakhi Shah Vanjara Community Hall at historic Gurudwara Rakabganj, also called Gurudwara Bangla Saheb.
The purpose of the visit, according to Mr. Salim, was to see the functioning of the COVID Care Centre and how the Gurudwara is arranging for oxygen cylinders required for COVID patients facing respiratory and other problems. Speaking to India Tomorrow, Mr Salim said that Giani Ranjit Singh of the Gurudwara Bangla Saheb showed him the facility and also assured to help the Jamaat in whatever way he can if the Jamaat sets up such a facility for COVID patients.
Gian Ranjit Singh, when contacted, said that all the facilities were in place, including two Oxygen concentrators for each of 250 beds, besides adequate oxygen cylinders, as also doctors, nurses and medicine etc. “We are awaiting the Delhi government’s nod to admit patients”, he said. He informed that the Delhi government has tied up with the Rakabganj Gurudwara and a team of Delhi government officials who visited the Gurudwara on Wednesday assured that in case of any patient becoming serious and requiring specialised treatment, will be shifted to government hospitals and facilities. “The Delhi government has asked us to wait for two days before we start operating our centre”, said Gian Ranjit Singh. “We will begin admitting patients once the Delhi government gives its clearance”, he said further.
He said that the Gurudwara had also arranged 20 ambulances, some converted from school buses.
Mohammed Shafi Madni, Jamaat’s national secretary, who was also in the delegation, said the Jamaat had already begun work for a 50-bed COVID care centre at the Scholar School within the Jamaat’s premises. “It will work under the supervision of Al-Shifa Hospital run from the Jamaat’s premises by NGO Human Welfare Trust, initiated by Jamaat leaders and members. I hope the COVID centre at the Scholar School will be operational by May 15,” said Mr. Madni. He said that the Jamaat is contemplating to set up oxygen ‘langar’ centres at different places in the national capital and holding discussion with its workers and volunteers about the select places where the oxygen facilities can be set up.
The Jamaat’s affiliates who are running the Al-Shifa Hospital with 40-bedded COVID ward in Delhi, have also set up an 80-bedded COVID care hospital in Nagpur, the worst hit by second COVID wave in Maharashtra and running it in collaboration with Nagpur administration. Likewise, Jamaat’s leaders and members are also running a well-known HBS Hospital, dedicated for treatment of COVID-19 patients in Shivajinagar area of Bengaluru, since the Covid-19 hit the country for the first time a year ago.
