The Indian arm of the American technology giant Google said on Thursday that it would be providing an additional grant of $15.5 million for installing around 80 oxygen generation plants and training healthcare workers across the country.
Google’s Chief Executive Officer(CEO) Sundar Pichai took to microblogging site Twitter to announce the move. “Our hearts go out to those in India impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, and we continue to look for ways to help,” he said in his tweet.
Our hearts go out to those in India impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, and we continue to look for ways to help. Today @Googleorg will provide an additional $15.5 million to build oxygen generation plants and train healthcare workers in rural India. https://t.co/OzoKFe1n1c
— Sundar Pichai (@sundarpichai) June 17, 2021
Google India will be providing a grant of approximately $15 million or Rs.109 crore to two organisations- GiveIndia and PATH, which would bear the responsibility for the company’s oxygen program. Around 80 oxygen generation plants will be procured and installed in rural and other areas of high need in the country. According to the tech. company’s blogpost, PATH would identify target locations, provide technical help and work with the requisite government authorities to complete the installation.
In a new commitment, Google will also help Apollo Medskills to upskill 20,000 frontline health workers through specialized training in COVID-19 management. In addition, the company would provide $500,000 or Rs.3.6 crore ARMMAN, a non-profit. The money would be used to run skill programs for ASHA workers and Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) across 15 states in India.
Google also said it had announced a total grant of $18 million or Rs.135 Crore in the month of April to expand the reach of public health information campaigns and support emergency relief work.
