Leading UAE businessman Dr Shamsheer Vayalil has stepped forward to help the Indian coronavirus crisis by dedicating a 500-bed hospital to the treatment of infected patients.
As the founder of one of the region’s largest private providers, VPS Healthcare, Dr Vayalil has responded to increasing numbers of coronavirus cases in India by offering the Delhi-NCR Medeor speciality hospital to help healthcare services cope with demand.
In a letter to India’s Ministry of Health, he commended healthcare workers, officials and volunteers for their tireless efforts to stem the outbreak.
Life in New Delhi has almost ground to halt after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a nationwide lockdown until at least April 15.
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A woman sits next to a dog on a deserted street during the first day of a 21-day government-imposed nationwide lockdown in New Delhi. AFP -
A man with a protective mask rides a moped on a deserted road, amid a nationwide lockdown to slow the spread of coronavirus, in New Delhi, India. Getty Images -
Pigeons fly at a deserted Gateway of India monument in Mumbai, India. AP Photo -
A policeman checks motorists at a roadblock during the first day of a 21-day government-imposed nationwide lockdown, in New Delhi. AFP -
A policeman stands guard at a checkpoint the day after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a 21-day government-imposed nationwide lockdown, in New Delhi. AFP -
Birds flock on the roofs of a railway station in Prayagraj, India. AP Photo -
A woman watches Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to the nation on a cell phone, in Kangra, India. EPA -
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Train Terminus in Mumbai, India, is deserted. AP -
People lineup outside stores to buy groceries following Indian Prime Minister's announcement of a government-imposed nationwide lockdown. AFP -
A Hindu woman wearing a mask shops for religious items on the eve of the Hindu festival Navratri in Prayagraj, India. AP Photo -
People gather at a pharmacy to buy supplies following Indian Prime Minister's announcement of a government-imposed nationwide lockdown, in Mumbai. AFP -
Homeless Indian children sit in the middle of a deserted road, amid a nationwide lockdown, in New Delhi. Getty Images -
Indian women carry containers to buy milk as they walk on a deserted road amid a nationwide lockdown, in New Delhi, India. Getty Images -
Indian policemen stand guard at a deserted commercial hub as they enforce a lockdown, in New Delhi, India. Getty Images -
A night view of a deserted road, amid a nationwide lockdown, in New Delhi, India. Getty Images -
A policeman adjusts the mask of a security guard in New Delhi, India. Reuters -
Police officers stop vehicles and check their papers on a highway during 21-day nationwide lockdown in Kochi, India. Reuters -
A man cycles along a deserted road in New Delhi. AFP -
Two buses are driven on a deserted street during the first day of a 21-day government-imposed nationwide lockdown, in New Delhi. AFP
Millions of Indians who rely on daily earnings are now out of work.
Many have fled their homes due to fears the virus could spread rapidly through cramped living conditions where there is a shortage of regular clean water.
According to government figures, 867 cases of Covid-19 have been detected in India, with 25 deaths.
More than 1.5 million people are said to have been screened at airports and a $22 billion (Dh80.8bn) stimulus package has been enacted to help feed 800 million people with lentils and grains for the next three months.
The Medeor hospital in Manesar, Delhi, has formed a task force of specialist doctors, nurses and other staff to deal with an anticipated surge in cases of Covid-19.
The VPS Healthcare group operates three hospitals in Delhi under the name of Medeor.
This month, a team of nurses from the VPS group were sent to screen passengers arriving into Abu Dhabi International Airport for two weeks.
