COV-AID@BLR, a 150-bed oxygenated COVID-19 treatment centre at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru (KIAB/ BLR Airport), has been operationalised. The facility was virtually inaugurated by Chief Minister of Karnataka BS Yediyurappa on May 19, 2021 during his visit to the Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru (KIAB/ BLR Airport).
Located near the Cargo Terminals of BLR Airport, COV-AID@BLR is open for the public and employees from the BLR Airport ecosystem.
Patients can get admission at the Centre by contacting the Nodal Officers (Sannappaiah -9448116661) and Dr. Sanjay -9538279991) or through recommendation from a Referral Hospital. The patient must carry Aadhar card, prescription provided by the Referral Hospital and relevant medical documents.
The facility is designed to treat patients who are asymptomatic, with mild hypoxia (a condition in which the body or a region of the body is deprived of adequate oxygen supply at the tissue level). It is designed to be a transit oxygen delivery centre, which would provide much-needed relief and treatment for patients requiring oxygen support until they are able to get admission in a hospital. This facility is not equipped to treat pregnant women or moderate cases and those requiring high flow oxygen support / ICU beds.
The Centre would be equipped with a pharmacy, pathology unit, nurses’ station, rest rooms, dining area and drinking water facilities. An ambulance would be on standby 24×7 to cater to emergencies. All necessary arrangements would be made for safe disposal of waste, including bio-waste.
An eminent panel of doctors, including Dr. Naresh Shetty, Dr. Nandakumar Jairam and Dr. Alexander Thomas, would provide technical assistance in the functioning of the Centre.
Treatment at COV-AID@BLR would be free of cost, while charges for medicines, tests and self-arranged ambulance would be borne by patients.
Funded by Fairfax Financial Holdings Group, the initiative, launched in partnership with GiveIndia, is part-funded by Kempegowda International Airport Foundation (KIAF) – the foundation of Bangalore International Airport Limited. The initiative will be managed by Fairfax Financial Holdings Group’s investee companies – BIAL and Quess Corp Limited.
