As Covid-19 infections spike at JSW site in Ballari, Group converts Jindal Sanjeevani hospital into Covid-care centre

MUMBAI: JSW Group’s social development arm, JSW Foundation along with Ballari District Administration has converted the Jindal Sanjeevani Multi-Specialty Hospital (JSMSH) into a full-fledged COVID-19 care Hospital, following a spurt in the number of Covid-19 infections reported from JSW Steel, Vijayanagar, Ballari.

“It has started treating asymptomatic or moderate cases of positive Coronavirus patients of Ballari & adjoining villages. All other premorbid and critical COVID-19 patients are being referred to District Hospital for treatment,” JSW said in a statement on Thursday.

JSW Steel site in Ballari district emerged as a Covid-19 cluster in the number of positive cases, the district administration announced a slew of restrictions to control the spread there. The administration has barred movement of people from outside into the JSW plant from June 18.

JSW Steel had stated on June 17th that there were about 117 active cases and that they have isolated the primary and secondary contacts after the first case was detected. The company also said they were operating on two shifts and the production is expected to return back to normal levels within days. However, the plant has now reduced its workforce to 1/3rd of its actual number.

The 82-bedded Jindal Sanjeevani Multi-Specialty Hospital includes 75 regular beds and seven ICU beds. It is equipped with required infrastructure, bio-medical equipment such as ventilators, pacemakers, dialysis machine and patient monitoring devices to treat mild to moderate COVID-19 infected patients.

As part of the understanding between JSW and Ballari District Administration, Jindal Sanjeevani Multi-Specialty Hospital is completely manned by the doctors, specialists, nurses and paramedic team. The overall expenses incurred on the patients are also being absorbed by the Hospital. The Ballari District Administration oversees the Hospital’s functioning.

“Under the guidance of Govt Health Officials and District Administration, Jindal Sanjeevani Hospital is adhering to the standard operating procedures and necessary protocols that are being mandated to treat the COVID-19 patients along with the prerequisite of biosafety & biosecurity level of compliance,” the official statement said.