AM/NS India (ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India), a joint venture between ArcelorMittal and Nippon Steel, in alliance with the Government of Gujarat and District Administration, Surat, has set up a 250-bed COVID care hospital at Hazira, to augment the government's efforts in containing the second wave of the Covid-19 virus surge. The temporary hospital will receive an uninterrupted supply of oxygen gas from its plant and will be scaled up to a 1000-bed centre. This facility was virtually inaugurated by Hon’ble Gujarat Chief Minister, Vijay Rupani, from his Gandhinagar office. Lakshmi Mittal, Executive Chairman, ArcelorMittal also joined the inaugural session virtually. C R Patil, Member of Parliament, Kishor Kanani, Minister of State Health and Family Welfare, Medical Education, and Dilip Oommen, Chief Executive Officer, AM/NS India, attended the event.

The dedicated 250-bed COVID care hospital near the company manufacturing plant at Hazira, will admit only patients who need oxygen. If patients need more intensive medical intervention, the company will ensure speedy transfer of patients via ambulances to nearby hospitals. Keeping in mind the logistics difficulties and technical limitations involved in transporting oxygen to the hospitals, this plant which primarily produces gaseous oxygen for steel production has ramped up the output of liquid oxygen substantially to 210 M/T per day for medical use, ensuring continuous oxygen supply while also saving time.

Lauding the prompt intervention from AM/NS India, the Gujarat Chief Minister said, “The current surge in COVID cases has been a challenge for all state governments along with the issue of Oxygen shortage. We appreciate the prompt support by AM/NS India in setting up this COVID hospital which will help patients in need and address the current oxygen situation. We expect AM/NS India to continue their support in our fight against Covid-19.”

Extending his support, Mittal, added, “I thank the Government of Gujarat and Shri Vijay Rupani for their support due to which we were able to set up this COVID care hospital in 72 hours. The Hon’ble Prime Minister last Friday had requested suggestions for tackling the current COVID situation and since AM/NS India produces oxygen gas in the Hazira facility we decided to build this hospital near the facility to help those in need. This will overcome the bottleneck in oxygen supply.”

Emphasising on the company’s committed to fighting the global pandemic alongside the government, authorities, and medical professionals, Oommen, elaborated, “As part of our continued endeavour to serve the community, we have introduced the concept of bringing hospital to the vicinity of the oxygen plant, instead of transporting oxygen to hospital. Considering the speed at which the pandemic is spreading, we have also factored in the ramping up of the number of beds. We thank the Government of Gujarat for its cooperation, and I reinforce all possible support from AM/NS India in the fight against Covid-19.”

Image Source: ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India