Diageo to fund Rs 45 crore to support India’s health infrastructure amid Covid crisis

Diageo, which sells liquor brands such as Johnie Walker, Black Dog and McDowell’s No 1, has pledged Rs 45 crore to support India’s health infrastructure amid the second wave of the pandemic.
The fund will be used by Diageo to help nodal government hospitals in 21 districts to set up oxygen plants and16-bed mini hospital units in 15 hard-hit districts. Diageo will also donate medical equipment such as oxygen concentrators, oxygen cylinders, ventilator beds and other critical devices to public hospitals across ten states.

Diageo has adopted the ‘One District One State’ approach to ensure that support reaches one district in each state and Union Territory.
With this, the country’s biggest liquor firm has contributed Rs 130 crore towards Covid relief measures so far, said Anand Kripalu, the managing director and CEO of Diageo India.

“At a time when the country is facing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, we want to support the government’s efforts and stand by the citizens of India. Long term medical infrastructure especially hospital beds and self-sufficiency in oxygen is what is needed most and we hope our contribution going into every state and UT will help play a part in India’s recovery,” added Kripalu.

This initiative will be supported by the national investment promotion agency Invest India and executed by GiveIndia by prioritising the requirements of the state authorities and identifying critical districts, the company said.

Over the last year, Diageo India produced three lakh litres of bulk hand sanitiser across 15

Report by Chetali S M
Reported on – 25/05/2021