Video Editor: Puneet Bhatia
Video Producer: Aastha Gulati
As the coronavirus pandemic spreads across countries, the shortage of PPEs for doctors and other front line healthcare workers has made news everywhere.
In Kashmir’s Sopore, an entrepreneur is taking it upon himself to provide medical supplies to doctors. As India entered a nationwide lockdown to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Mohammad Muzzafar Baba transformed his garment factory to a PPE-making workshop.
“There was less quantity of protective gear available in hospitals along with other supplies. There were no gowns or any covering. I thought to put my efforts in procuring materials and start making gowns,” said Baba, who manufactures ready-made garments especially uniforms for school students in Baramulla.
Having never made protective gowns or masks before, but it was the urgency of the pandemic that made Baba want to convert his garment factory and contribute in his own way. His set up, that usually sees about 17 employees has now been reduced to 5 or 6 persons. Everyone at the garment workshop is tailoring PPE kits.
While they had started off by manufacturing disposable gowns, they soon switched to waterproof PPEs as they are most useful in shielding oneself from the virus.
Baba is currently distributing the PPEs to the hospitals in Sopore allocated for COVID-19 patients as well as the CMO, Baramulla and Handwara.
“This was totally a volunteering effort. We took suggestions from a doctor, then we met the DC of Baramulla, who I am thankful to for issuing passes so that we could move without any difficulties.”
Baba and his employees are also producing masks which they supply to the police department and to some private companies at a meager cost. Any losses incurred don’t matter to him because he is helping the community in tough times.
“Entrepreneurs are a key support for our society and thus must come forward to serve whether it is economically or physically. The level of contribution doesn’t matter. If they can’t supply for free, then they can supply at less profit but they must come forward regardless. In such times so they must step up to help.”
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