Huma Qureshi to set up a 30-bed pediatrics ward in Delhi for Covid relief; ‘Breath of Life’.
Huma Qureshi will be setting up a 30-bed pediatric ward in New Delhi. As there has been an increase in infection among the younger population she has launched a child-specific initiative called ‘Breath of Life.’
Image courtesy: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
As India is bracing for a possible third wave of the pandemic, with the predictions of children being the ones at greater risk, Bollywood actress Huma Qureshi along with Save the Children, will be setting up a 30-bed pediatric ward in New Delhi for Covid relief. Her new child-specific initiative is called ”Breath of Life.’ As the new wards are being prepared, attention is being paid to make it lively, as it helps in the process of healing.
On June 29, Huma along with Save the Children staff visited the Tilak Nagar Colony Hospital, New Delhi to check the progress of the initiative. “At Tilak Nagar Colony Hospital in Delhi, I witnessed first-hand how hard work and earnest intentions do bear fruit. My ‘Breath of Life’ mission with Save the Children has received massive support and empowered us to set up a 100-bed COVID Facility in the city I proudly call my home. A big thank you to everyone who contributed and stood up for the people in their hour of need,” Huma said explaining the initiative.
She continued as she talked about the expected third wave in the country, “But the battle is not yet over, with speculation rife about an anticipated third wave and its potential impact on our children, we need to be prepared. I am not waiting for the situation to get worse like the second wave. Together with Save the Children we are prepping already to add a 30- bed paediatric ward to this facility, dedicated for Delhi’s children.”
She further added, “And keeping children in mind, we want to create a ward that is child-friendly colours, wall painted with animals. And today, I joined the team in painting the wall. It was overwhelming to see it all come alive. And most of all, to experience the child in me.”
The actress also met the Commissioner Gynaesh Bharti and Additional Commissioner Randhir Sahay of South Delhi municipal corporation (SDMC) while the team of doctors was present with her. Gynaesh Bharti thanked the actress and Save the Children for their new initiative. He said, “SDMC was facing challenges during the second wave of COVID-19 due to shortage of supply of medical oxygen in this facility — when the support from the Breath of Life initiative helped in providing 100 beds into oxygen support.”
He further added, “We highly appreciated this support and going ahead with the support of this project we are looking now to set up a 30-bedded paediatric ward in this facility with paediatric ICU and neonatal ICU. This collaboration has also created an enthusiastic environment for the doctors, and they are looking forward for completion of this set up.”
Meanwhile, the CEO of Save the Children, Sudarshan said, “We understand that children have specific needs and one such need is to prepare for the probable third wave and have robust facilities to ensure children’s care if they are hospitalised. This is a great initiative prioritised by the government and with Huma’s fantastic efforts that will pave the way for many more, including the effort to set up Neo-natal ICU and children’s ICU facilities during the pandemic in Delhi and with Save the Children’s effort across the country.”
The mission initiated by Save the children and Huma Qureshi has received immense support from B-Town also, celebrities like Priyanka Chopra, Anushka Sharma, Amitabh Bachchan, Sonu Sood, Varun Dhawan, Akshay Kumar, among others have come forward to extend their support. ‘Breath of Life’ has received massive support to set up a 100-bed COVID facility in the city.
