CHEST encourages support of India during COVID crisis
May 24, 2021
In response to the growing COVID-19 crisis in India, the current and past presidents of CHEST are reaching out to membership to share educational resources and encourage support for those battling the outbreak.
Dear CHEST colleagues,
As members of the worldwide chest medicine community, the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) supports our Indian members and the broader Indian community as they battle COVID-19. The rising infection rate has reached devastating proportions, with 25.2 million reported cases and a 7-day average of 380,000 cases/day.
Many of our colleagues and CHEST members have been providing services in India using online apps or telehealth to connect with patients, beginning these sessions late in the evening and into the morning. CHEST applauds these selfless efforts. From our experiences on the front line, the CHEST COVID-19 Task Force has assembled a number of educational resources to share freely.
A recent webinar, “Maximizing Utility While Conserving Resources,” covered strategies for maximizing limited resources, oxygen conservation evidence and building up capacity in preparation for the next wave. Other resources that may be of immediate assistance are located on the COVID-19 Resource Center page and listed below.
Infographics:
Videos:
The CHEST community can also support our colleagues in India financially or by giving our professional expertise. With cases continuing to surge and a third wave expected, India is in desperate need of medical supplies, including oxygen concentrators, ventilators and personal protective equipment. If you are able to lend your support, we encourage you to work through services that are already operational and making a difference in India.
- This CNN-run resource offers opportunities to support 21 organizations, including American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, to deliver urgently needed medical equipment, PPE, hygiene supplies and critical care to those in need.
- Working closely with India hospitals, SEWA is accepting donations of CPAP and BiPAP machines along with other medical equipment.
We stand side by side with our members in India. If you have information that could assist CHEST in helping our members living in and reaching out to India, we welcome your input.
Sincerely,
Steven Q. Simpson, MD, FCCP, President
Suhail Raoof, MBBS, Master FCCP, Past President
Kalpalatha K. Guntupalli, MD, Master FCCP, Past President
Udaya B. S. Prakash, MD, Master FCCP, Past President