The Juhar Foundation, Mumbai (JFM), a civil society forum consisting of people of western Odisha living in Mumbai, has provided 10 oxygen cylinders to the Mukta Bichar Manch (MBM) at Khariar of Nuapada district for use of patients suffering from Covid-19.

MBM members along with a few journalists were present when the consignment arrived at Khariar.

"Paschim Odisha Parivar (POP), Mumbai, of which I am the founding father, in conjunction with Juhar Foundation, Mumbai took up the cause of distribution of oxygen cylinders in western Odisha districts to mitigate the Covid-19 difficulties. They provided ten oxygen cylinders to Khariar," said MBM convenor Shrikant Chatterjee.

"We will make a protocol for the use of the cylinders in agreement with POP and JFM," he added.

"Welcome initiative; we convey our thanks to JFM and POP. At present, there are 25 oxygen concentrators and 25 oxygen cylinders at the Khariar CHC out of which 18 OCs and 17 cylinders are in Covid Care Centre at Badi of Khariar block and rest are in Sub-Divisional Hospital, Khariar. The Oxygen Bank supported by JFM will further strengthen the oxygen reserve of Khariar region," added Prof Dr Fanindam Deo,

Chatterjee further informed that in view of the ongoing crisis due to Covid-19, the Odisha Community of Japan (OCJ) has offered to extend a helping hand to Nuapada in close collaboration with the MBM. "They are sending ten oxygen concentrators," he said.

"The Marwari Yuba Manch of Khariar is also providing oxygen support. However, I have learnt that there is a shortage of oxygen regulators and hand gloves in our CHC," informed Deo.