MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A group of Mid-South doctors is joining forces to send help to India.
It’s a cause close to their hearts because all of the members call India home and know someone who died or is suffering from COVID-19.
TRENDING: 3 men arrested in connection to teen’s death at an Arlington McDonald’s
On Thursday, India reported almost 4,000 deaths in a 24-hour period.
The organization is called “MITRA.” It’s a group of doctors who are worried about their family members and friends who are in the middle of the COVID crisis in India.
“The thing that got to us the most is that sense of helplessness and at the same time we need to do something about it,” said Dr. Samir Shah.
Dr. Shah checks in with his parents every day to make sure they are okay.
His parents are in their 80s and struggle with underlying health conditions.
Luckily, his mom and dad are vaccinated but the fear is still there: fear for his family, friends and country.
“They are seeing an enormous load of patients, there is a lot of death and dying, and to be honest my communication with my friends reflects the amount of mental trauma that they are undergoing,” said Dr. Shah.
Instead of worrying, Dr. Shah decided to form MITRA last Friday.
TRENDING: Officers justified in deadly shooting of Frayser man, DA says
It stands for Mid-South Initiative to Raise Assistance. The acronym means “friend” in the language Sanskrit.
“It’s been rough and as you may have heard there is really nobody of Indian origin frankly at this time anywhere in the world who doesn’t have any immediate family member who has not caught COVID,” said Dr. Amit Lahoti.
Dr. Lahoti is also in the organization.
In just two days, the group raised $30,000 to buy oxygen concentrators to help patients struggling to breathe.
The group sent the supplies two days ago.
“It’s a very scary situation when you hear there are no oxygen, there’s a scarcity of oxygen supply in the country,” said Dr. Lahoti.
MITRA plans to do more like sending medical supplies, vaccine advocacy and helping with mental health services for health workers
Overall, both doctors said they are overwhelmed by the support in the Mid-South.
“Memphis has been very kind and the people’s generosity is amazing. We on behalf of everyone, we want to thank everyone for their support,” said Dr. Shah.
The medical supplies are expected to arrive in India tomorrow.
Download the FOX13 Memphis app to receive alerts from breaking news in your neighborhood.
Trending stories:
May 07, 2021 at 09:46AM
https://www.fox13memphis.com/news/local/mid-south-doctors-join-forces-send-help-india/PQEP4OFGUFCFXO3JLK5MROH2KA/
Mid-South doctors join forces to send help to India - FOX13 Memphis
https://news.google.com/search?q=Send&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en
No comments:
Post a Comment