130 cylinders in 10 days: Mulund traders extend oxygen help to COVID-19 patients

The traders’ association has been providing the cylinders to residents of Mulund and nearby areas. Pic/Rajesh Gupta

Traders from Mulund East came together to give relief to home quarantined COVID-19 patients in need of oxygen; they have supplied 130 cylinders in just 10 days. An association of the traders was formed at the beginning of the pandemic by distributing food to migrants and daily wage workers. Now they are ensuring no one in Mulund and its surrounding areas struggles for oxygen.

"Witnessing the scenario then, we started distributing readymade food, followed by grains," said Mayur Sotta of the Mumbai East Vyapari Association. "There are 120 traders participating in the cause and continue to do so" he added.

Amid the second wave, one of the most demanded commodities is oxygen. "We got many requests for oxygen cylinders from Mulund. So we decided to start supplying the cylinders," said Vipin Dedhia. "We began on April 13 and within a few days, we have hit more than 130 cylinders. We are providing 10-litre cylinders for a '10,000 refundable deposit without other charges. Initially, we had intended to support patients from Mulund only, but currently, we are helping residents from Bhandup, Thane apart from Mulund," Dedhia added.

"My 57-year-old mother needed oxygen on Sunday. The doctor had told me to give her oxygen before the situation deteriotes. After messaging several people, I got the number of this association. Within an hour of calling them, the cylinder was at my residence. Now my mother is going well," said Pramod Vernekar, a Mulund East resident.

"I treat and consult patients with mild to moderate COVID symptoms. In the last 10 days, the association has helped over 30 of my patients," said Dr. Hemal Gada.