Dr Shamsheer Vayalil donates Rs 50 cr to Kerala flood victims
UAE Businessman of Kerala origin
UAE, August 20: The hospital business owner, who founded the UAE's VPS Healthcare, has said vital infrastructure will need to be rebuilt.
A donation of Dh26 million(Rs 50 Cr) from one of the richest Indians in the Middle East has been pledged to help rebuild communities in Kerala, following the most destructive monsoon in a century.
Kerala-born Dr Shamsheer Vayalil, founder and managing director of UAE-based VPS Healthcare, has vowed to help rebuild vital infrastructure in the worst hit areas of the southern Indian state.
Torrential rains have hit the south east of the country causing widespread devastation, with the current death toll of 350 expected to rise.
Hundreds of thousands have been made homeless with the spectre of widespread disease now hanging over the recovery process once floodwaters begin to recede.
Roads will need to be rebuilt, along with water management facilities, health centres and schools – with the Dh26 million donation from Dr Vayalil available to begin restoration efforts as soon as it is safe to do so.
“This money will be spent throughout the state of Kerala,” said Dr Vayalil, 41, in an interview with The National.
“We will work with the local authorities to determine where this financial support is needed the most.
“Certain areas have already been identified for immediate help.
"We will use this money through an oversight committee with the support of people in Kerala who are in the public domain.”
VPS Healthcare will be employing specialist contractors to complete the work, and is already working with consultants to ensure the money is spent in the areas where it is needed most.
In May, Dr Vayalil joined The Giving Pledge, an initiative created by Microsoft founder Bill Gates, his wife Melinda and business magnate Warren Buffett in 2010 to support good causes around the world.
Although shocked by the extent of damage on a recent visitto his home state, Dr Vayalil was taken aback by the response from Keralites and the wider global community to help rescue efforts.
“It is encouraging to see how communities are pulling together to help one another, and to see how strong the human spirit is,” he said.
In a separate mission, VPS Healthcare is funding a relief flight of medical supplies, 2,000 water filter systems, clothes and food due to leave from Abu Dhabi later this week.
Flights in and out of Kochi, one of the most populated cities impacted, have been severely disrupted, hampering relief efforts.
Commercial flights to the city’s international airport resumed on Monday.
The Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation has collected more than Dh10 million for the aid effort, thanks to donations from Indian business leaders.
“Good healthcare is associated with clean water and efficient power supplies, so that is why Dr Shamsheer has decided to help out immediately,” said a spokesman for VPS Healthcare.
Courtesy: www.thenational.ae
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Raichur: Min. Gundu Rao warns of disciplinary action against negligent government hospital doctors
Raichur: Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao issued a stern warning to doctors and staff in taluka hospitals, emphasizing the importance of their presence at duty stations to provide necessary care for pregnant women. He cautioned that disciplinary action would be taken against those found negligent.
Speaking at the launch of the state-level Maternal and Child Safety Campaign on Wednesday at the premises of the Mother and Child Hospital in Raichur, the minister underlined the government's responsibility to safeguard maternal and child health. He detailed plans for the Matru Suraksha Abhiyan, which will be conducted across all district and taluk centers in Karnataka.
He announced that taluk hospitals will be upgraded into district mini-hospitals, equipped with enhanced facilities and staffed adequately. He stressed the need for round-the-clock treatment availability, highlighting Raichur's need for better healthcare and education services. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has pledged support, including funds for immediate implementation of these initiatives.
Highlighting alarming maternal mortality statistics, Gundu Rao pointed out that 64 out of every 100,000 pregnant women in the state die due to insufficient care. The campaign aims to reduce this figure to zero through improved healthcare access and awareness.
Minor Irrigation and Science and Technology Minister N.S. Boseraju reinforced the need for a district hospital in Raichur and urged swift action to address healthcare infrastructure deficiencies. He called on medical professionals to ensure quality service for economically disadvantaged families.
MLA Hampaiah Sahukara, District Collector Nitesh, Zilla Panchayat CEO Pandve Rahul Tukaram, and local civic leaders were present during the program. The program was coordinated by District Health Officer Dr. Surendra Babu, with Dandappa Biradar serving as the event's master of ceremonies.
