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India’s health care system is overwhelmed by the rapid spread of COVID-19. On May 6, the country set a grim single-day record of 412,262 new cases.

Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) staff in Mumbai are working tirelessly to provide care to patients suffering from COVID-19 and other serious illnesses like tuberculosis. Our teams are also doing intense community outreach to promote COVID-19 prevention and testing among vulnerable people and those with chronic conditions.

If you are able, please make a gift to help our teams on the ground provide aid at a moment’s notice in vulnerable communities around the world.

We want to give you an update on our emergency response to the second wave of COVID-19 in India, and few are better suited to share their perspective on this unfolding situation than our staff on the ground in Mumbai—read on for their testimonials >>

Dilip Bhaskaran, an MSF project coordinator, explains MSF’s work in the 2,000-bed COVID-19 care center in Bandra Kurla complex, Mumbai:

“Now, during the second wave, our role is to improve the quality of care for mild and moderate cases and ensure patient dignity in the facility. Even though we are a small part of a big operation, our job is very important. Increasing the quality of care these patients receive and managing them well with oxygen in the facility means fewer people will need to go on to ventilator care in intensive care units.”

Santosh Choure, an MSF health promotion manager, on MSF’s commitment to health promotion and education:

“We conduct handwashing demonstration sessions and meetings in the community....We also reinforce messaging about wearing masks, social distancing, and other ways COVID can be prevented. We’re also doing digital health promotion, reaching thousands of people on Facebook with videos and messaging, especially the younger generation who is active on social media.”

Mabel Morales, an MSF medical coordinator, shares her perspective from the ground:

“The needs here are so great, and what MSF is doing is just a small part. But it’s important for us to be here. Staff from other hospitals are coming to us to take part in the trainings, and we’re able to support them and share what we know. We all feel a strong sense of solidarity with our patients and with the staff.”

Friend, our teams on the ground rely on your support to provide medical care, especially during moments of crisis. Make a gift today to help us deliver lifesaving emergency aid around the world where it’s needed most.

Thank you in advance,

Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)