As the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc across western India, Lions of District 3234 D2 decided to intervene. This time around, the effects of the deadly virus were more severe, disrupting many more lives in unimaginable ways. So they formed the Lions COVID-19 Task Force (LCTF) with a participation of more than 100 clubs, determined to improve the lives of those affected.
Rising to this challenge, Lions established 10 COVID care centers in March and April 2021, intended for patients who could not afford treatment in private hospitals.
I conceived and established the task force, and it was set in motion by then District Governor Lion Abhay Shastri. Under this initiative, the district spent 30 million Indian rupees (approximately US$402,000) in relief activities. Two hundred and forty Lion members joined forces, forming seven special teams to support District 3234 D2.
To provide real time information on the availability of hospital beds and active plasma donors, Lions launched a mobile app with the name “Lions COVID Task Force.” A special team of 40 Lion members came together and reached out daily to different hospitals to gather information about the availability of oxygen beds and ventilators. This information was then relayed to the communities with the help of the LCTF mobile app.
The Lions COVID Task Force mobile app
Functions of the mobile app
Frontline defense
The second wave brought with it new challenges, the most severe being the oxygen crisis that left the nation gasping for breath. Rising to this challenge, Lions established 10 COVID care centers in March and April 2021, intended for patients who could not afford treatment in private hospitals. Some were treated free of cost while others at nominal charges.
Seth Tarachand Hospital, Pune, constituting 84 oxygen beds, was set up with the help of Lion Gopal Rathi and was inaugurated by the Mayor of Pune, Hon’ble Murlidhar Mahol.
Shree Multispecialty Bhosari, Pune was started with 25 oxygen beds and was inaugurated by then District Governor Lion C.A. Abhay Shastri. Lions Dr. Asmita and Dr. Rahul Surana played instrumental roles in starting this center.
Shree Arjun Singh COVID Care Centre, Ahmednagar was started with 300 isolation beds with the help of Lion Harjeet Singh Wadhwa.
With more than 200 oxygen concentrators and 100 oxygen cylinders, 32 clubs jointly started an oxygen bank in District 3234 D2. Under this initiative, machines and cylinders were distributed to those in need. Lions Club Pune Shatabdi, Poona Ganeshkhind, Talegaon, Pune Bhosari, Pune Agrasen, Junnar Shivneri, Manmad City, Pune Akurdi, Nasik Panchavati, Ahmednagar, Pathardi, Kothrud, Pune Royal, Pune Downtown and many more clubs participated in donating these machines and raising funds for the LCTF. Through this initiative, every club received 10,000 INR (approximately US$130) to purchase oxygen concentrators.
To restrict the spread of the virus, the LCTF distributed more than 500,000 masks and 200,000 sanitizers to their clubs, which in turn gave them to hospitals, police stations and vulnerable communities. In an attempt to make travel safer for the public, the LCTF installed 6,000 transparent curtains in auto-rickshaws (a three-wheeled motorized vehicle used as a taxi). The Lions logo was printed on these sheets, which helped raise awareness of the impact of the Lions clubs.
Plasma and blood donation
When the medical community resorted to convalescent plasma therapy to treat COVID patients, the LCTF decided to do their bit to help out. They assisted around 2,000 COVID patients getting access to plasma transfusion at early stages of their infection. Through awareness camps and virtual meetings, they promoted plasma donation in the district. The Lions Club of Talegaon held a recurring radio show to educate the public about the importance of plasma donation. They even rewarded the donors with a silver coin and an antibody test as a way to show their appreciation for their participation in this noble cause.
Hunger relief
Another major issue that emerged in vulnerable communities during the pandemic was the diminishing access to food. With the lockdown imposed across the city, thousands of families scrambled for food. To mitigate this threat to livelihoods, the LCTF, under the initiative of Lions Roti Bank, provided freshly cooked food and dry ration to the destitute sections of the community, which included daily wage laborers, the homeless outside hospitals and others. From July 2020 to June 2021, more than 900,000 people benefitted from these meals as part of the hunger relief activities carried out by Ghar Ghar Langar and Lions Roti Bank.
Partnering with the local police
Four hundred and forty Lions and Leos got together to help citizens with accurate information and assist the local police in ensuring that the lockdown guidelines were being respected by constituting a team of special police officers. These officers, along with the police, helped to ensure the restrictions were being followed by patrolling various areas in the district for eight hours every day. Keeping these special police officers safe and healthy was a priority, so the LCTF provided them with medical kits, t-shirts, masks, hand sanitizers, face shields and meals.
Building vaccination centers
In association with the Pune Municipal Corporation, the LCTF built 10 vaccination centers and mobile vans to bring vaccination to housing societies. In these centers, free vaccination was provided and about 175,000 people received their shots.
With the help of the LCTF, the second wave of the pandemic was curbed in District 3234 D2. Lions International, the state government, the governor, ministers, the mayor of the city and media houses appreciated this large-scale initiative and all contributed to make the Lions COVID Task Force a great success.
Lions clubs around the world continue to uplift their communities every single day. District 3234 D2 received US$500 by submitting their success story! If you would like to learn more about the Global Action Team District Funding program, check out the GAT District Funding webpage.
Lion Parmanand Sharma, a Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow, is district coordinator of the Lions COVID Task Force 2020-21.
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted communities around the world in different ways. To ensure we’re serving safely wherever we live, Lions should follow the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control, World Health Organization or local health authorities. Visit our Serving Safely page for resources that can help you safely serve your community.
