Tata Steel has strengthened its medical preparedness in all its operational areas in Jharkhand and Odisha to fight the Covid-19 pandemic.

Tata Main Hospital (TMH) has been certified by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for RT-PCR diagnostic test for Covid-19, the first private hospital in Jharkhand to receive the approval. The hospital has started testing since April 24 and can test 50 samples per day.

“We are pleased that TMH Jamshedpur has been included in the list of private laboratories for testing for the novel coronavirus,” said Dr Rajan Chaudhry, general manager, medical services, Tata Steel. “Testing is critical in assessing the spread of Covid-19 and will also help in containing the spread of the pandemic in the region. I wish to convey my sincere gratitude to all the healthcare professionals at TMH, support staff and the citizens of Jamshedpur for their support in overcoming this challenge.”

Responding to the request of chief minister Hemant Soren, Tata Sons has provided medical equipment and consumables to the state. Those include 50,000 three-ply masks, 25,000 pairs of nitrile gloves, 10,000 Covid-19 testing kits and five HFNC (high flow nasal cannula), a non-invasive ventilation support to treat patients with respiratory difficulties.

Medical facilities for Covid-19 have been created in all the hospitals of Tata Steel across its manufacturing units and mining locations in Jharkhand and Odisha. The company has provisioned for a total of 1,250 beds in the two states. In Jharkhand, Tata Steel through TMH has set up 650 beds, including 513 Isolation beds and 77 critical care beds with invasive and non-invasive ventilators, 25 isolation beds including three beds with ventilation support at Noamundi, 25 isolation beds including three beds with ventilation support in Bokaro, and 10 isolation beds at Jamadoba.

TMH has also set-up a Covid-19 screening room with online appointment booking provision,and a special maternity and labour room complex suspect/confirmed Covid-19 patients who are pregnant.

In Odisha, the company has set up 600 beds.

“Tata Steel stands committed to support the state authorities in the collective effort to surmount the challenge of Covid-19. The safety and security of all stakeholders in and around its areas of operation remains a priority,” said the spokesperson.