DBS Bank to Help Step Up Healthcare Infra in India's Covid Fight

DBS Bank India has, in partnership with leading NGOs, joined hands with the governments of Indian and Singapore to support the augmentation of healthcare facilities, including government hospitals and Covid centres across major cities.

The relief efforts will support organisations working to alleviate the pressure faced by healthcare facilities, by easing supply of critical resources such as medical equipment, oxygen, vaccines and ICU beds, essential for managing the current wave of the pandemic.

As part of its efforts, DBS Bank is importing three cryogenic oxygen tanks of capacity approximately 20,000 litres each, with the support of Singapore High Commission in India and High Commission of India in Singapore, to support the ongoing relief efforts. The tanks will be donated via Singapore Red Cross to India, and deployed for use through the Union Health Ministry, complementing ongoing efforts to provide oxygen supplies to healthcare centres across the country.

DBS is also partnering with Doctors For You and United Way Mumbai to support the overall effort to combat the current spike in the pandemic. The partnership with Doctors For You will support setting up of a 300-bed oxygen-equipped facility in Mumbai, along with installation of mini oxygen plants, procurement of oxygen concentrators, and provision of medical personnel. The partnership with United Way Mumbai will facilitate ICU beds and equipment, oxygen concentrators and other medical supplies to enhance existing capacity at public healthcare facilities in Mumbai and Pune. 

Soon, the bank will also launch a vaccine sensitisation campaign in collaboration with UNICEF, to address vaccine hesitancy by creating awareness among employees, customers and the public. 

DBS employees across Asia have started an initiative to donate funds towards healthcare support and vaccination for the underprivileged through GiveIndia. The bank has announced it will make a matching contribution that will be deployed through various on-ground partners, thereby doubling the impact of staff donations. 

The overall contribution across all initiatives is expected to be over 2 million Singapore dollars (over Rs 10 crore).

Surojit Shome, MD and CEO of DBS Bank India,said,“As India battles the current wave of the pandemic, public-private partnerships are more critical than ever. Access to emergency healthcare equipment is of utmost importance. We hope our multiple engagements with NGOs and authorities to mobilise necessary resources will help those who need them the most. At DBS, we believe we are stronger together as we continue to support our customers, colleagues and the community at large to overcome this crisis.”

Simon Wong, Singapore High Commissioner at India,said, “We are greatly heartened by DBS’ swift response to the call of assistance for India. Singapore government agencies, companies and NGOs have been working tirelessly with their Indian counterparts in the past few weeks to move critical supplies to India. Singapore has always been an all-weather friend, and we stand with India in the fight against Covid.”

Extending support to employees through this pandemic has been a core focus for DBS. The bank has partnered with Connect and Heal (CNH) to facilitate vaccination and other healthcare facilities for its employees. It is even organizing regular health sessions to promote mindfulness and fitness, to boost employee morale and wellbeing. Separate allowances and support schemes have also been introduced to help employees meet Covid-related expenses.