Imagine wearing personal protective equipment for about 8-10 hours without drinking water or taking a bathroom break, because taking the gear is to risk infection.

As the world grapples with covid-19, healthcare workers are on the frontlines risking their lives to keep everyone safe. Many of them are working under extreme stressful circumstances to meet the demands of rising #COVID19 cases across India.

With the steady rise in numbers, safety of healthcare workers are paramount in helping control the spread of Covid-19. Ensuring their safety depends on the adequate supply of personal protective equipment available at hospitals throughout the country.

The Government of India has distributed over 3 million masks to government hospitals across states. However for a densely populated country like India with increasing cases, the need for PPEs to be available in stock will be critical. Reuters have estimated that India will need at least 38 million masks to fight the coronavirus.

To support Government of India’s Covid-19 response, UNDP India is procuring and providing personal protective equipment such as masks, gloves, sanitizers and thermal scanners for use at health facilites across 8 states which include Delhi, Gujarat, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Chattisgarh, Uttrakand, Himachal Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh.

UNDP through our eVIN India state teams have distributed

600,000 masks

333,000 gloves

15,000 hand sanitizers

250 infrared thermal scanners

to support health workers at the last mile in India’s fight against Covid-19.

Further, eVIN India mobile application which digitizes vaccine stocks and storage temperatures is now being used to track the supply of over 81 essential Covid-19 materials in more than 1500 health facilities in 8 states.

As part of our ongoing initiatives, UNDP India will continue to support the Government of India to ensure we leave no one behind in our efforts.