Coronavirus: MCL, OMC to set up two 500-bed hospitals in Odisha under CSR

MCL and OMC have joined hands with the Odisha state government under their CSR programme to aid the state in its fight against Coronavirus

New Delhi: Coal India subsidiary MCL (Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd) and India's largest state PSU in mining sector, OMC (Odisha Mining Corporation), have joined hands with the Odisha state government under their CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) programme to aid the state in its fight against Coronavirus. The two PSUs have signed tripartite MoUs in this regard and will set up two separate hospitals for Coronavirus patients in the state as part of CSR initiative.

CSR initiative to fight Coronavirus: Hospitals to be functional within fortnight

The hospitals, with a combined strength of 1,000 beds, will be functional within a fortnight and will provide free-of-cost treatment to all Coronavirus patients, OMC and MCL said in a tweet on Thursday. "OMC signs tripartite agreement with #Odisha govt. & KIMS to set up 500-bedded stand-alone #COVID19 Hospital in Bhubaneswar. The hospital will be fully functional within a fortnight & will provide free of cost treatment to all #coronavirus patients. @CMO_Odisha @kimspbmh," OMC said in a tweet.

In a separate tweet, Coal India said, "Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd has signed a tripartite MoU with Govt. of Odisha & SUM Hospital Management to set up a 500 bedded state-of-the-art #COVID hospital in Bhubaneshwar, #Odisha. The hospital will become operational in a fortnight. A CSR initiative of MCL."

Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd. has signed a tripartite MoU with Govt. of Odisha & SUM Hospital Management to set up a 500 bedded state-of-the-art #COVID hospital in Bhubaneshwar, #Odisha. The hospital will become operational in a fortnight. A CSR initiative of MCL. pic.twitter.com/ItDv0Pysky
— Coal India Limited (@CoalIndiaHQ) March 26, 2020

'Appreciate corporate coming forward'

Sharing the news on Twitter on Thursday, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik appreciated the CSR initiatives taken by corporates in the fight against Coronavirus spread. He wrote, "Appreciate corporates coming forward and working in synergy in the interest of people and helping in strengthening health infrastructure. The two hospitals will be set up in tie up with SUM and KIIMS Medical Colleges with #CSR funding from @odisha_mining & @mahanadicoal."

In a first of its kind initiative in the country, we are setting up two stand alone #COVID19 hospitals with a combined strength of 1000 beds in Bhubaneswar. The two hospitals to be functional within a fortnight and strengthen our fight against #CoronaVirus. pic.twitter.com/WTuxBoHwoz
— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) March 26, 2020

The backdrop

The news comes a day after OMC contributed Rs 500 crore to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund to support the government in its fight against the pandemic. "As a responsible public sector company, OMC contributes Rs 500 crore to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund to support the state government's efforts to control the #COVID19 situation and help those affected by the pandemic," it said in a tweet.