BKT Opens a Contactless Covid-19 Treatment Center at the Bhuj Plant

Seregno (Italy), November 17, 2020 – The contactless Covid-19 treatment center and E-ICU unit built by BKT at its plant in Bhuj, India, is already operational.  

The center, which joins the secondary medical assistance services that already exist on the site, employs a doctor and 8 healthcare operators and will be responsible for treating workers and their families affected by Covid-19. Built in just three weeks, the unit has the most advanced medical technology, equipped with remote patient monitoring, data analytics on diagnostics and medicine management, high-flow oxygen machines, remote consultations using augmented reality, data availability across the globe for e-consults through Cloud monitoring systems and AI enabled X Ray imaging system provides the best in class care at BKT facility. 

It is one of the first ever contactless E-ICU, Covid-19 treatment structure to be built outside of a hospital environment in India, designed by a team of doctors, engineers and IT experts with specific aim of preventing and minimizing the risk of the epidemic spread. Ensuring complete safety for employees, families and collaborators engaged at the BKT site in Bhuj. 

This milestone shows once again how important the safety and care of its workers are at BKT. “People First” policy has resulted for best in class care for its staff and their respective families during this unprecedented healthcare emergency. The company, which last spring did not hesitate to temporarily suspend production in order to safeguard the health of its employees and collaborators, has restarted production, while still following rigid safety procedures in line not just with the current governmental provisions but also with the strictest globally recognized practices. 

Particular attention has been paid in these months also to the communities of the local areas where the company operates to ensure utmost Covid Care can be given to one and all. 

“At a time, such as this, corporate social responsibility is more important than ever. We must take care, protect, support and help each other. We are trying to do this in India and in the world through initiatives realized by our branches in Italy and in the United States of America. We need positive messages, commitment, solidarity, and triumph of Human spirit” says Mr. Arvind Poddar, Chairman and Managing Director of BKT. 

Features of the E-ICU unit at BKT Bhuj site 

To further reduce the risk of contagion and infection, three-prong strategy of smart screening, responsive testing and proactive medication has been deployed. Initially detailed community testing was carried out in the factory, and subsequently all the contact tracing protocols were implemented. This enabled the plant to be safe.  

The factory apart from Triage Area, Isolation Facility and medication clinic is also equipped with an Emergency Response Unit, which consists of five intensive care beds and all the latest machinery of Infusion pump, High Flow Oxygen machines, Bipap Machines, Patient Monitors, Smart Cameras and integrated lab systems for Data analysis has been put to treat patients requiring Acute Care. 

While the Unit has on-site presence of highly qualified personnel, the technology platform is equipped with dedicated video bridge to connect with the patient’s family, call on the consulting services of any doctor in globe enabled with modern telemedicine and further more provides Cloud data analysis of any point, range and data sets.  

BKT social commitment in COVID time 

Through these difficult times, BKT has committed to provide relief not only in India, but also at an international level through its subsidiaries in Italy and in the US.  

From the strength of the “BKT family” a significative initiative was born during the past months: the majority of BKT staff members from all continents donated one or more days of pay and the company had multiplied 8 times the amount collected. The entire sum was entirely donated to the projects of the BKT Foundation, that provides concrete help to the worst affected people in India.  

In its home country, strongly hit by the emergency, BKT also provided food supplies to disadvantaged people in Indian communities. Altogether 500.000 cooked-food packs were delivered along with 60.000 packages containing food ingredients, such as flour, oil, salt and rice. 

BKT also donated to healthcare personnel working in many Indian structures, 80.000 PPE kits, namely disposable coveralls of protection for the assistance of Covid-19 patients, complete with hood, mask, gloves and shoe covers. In addition, 410.000 face masks and 4.000 counter shields were donated and distributed with the help of our partners distributors located in different regions. The hospitals received support with more than 155.000 bed sheets and over 30.000 doctor Scrub Suits. 

In Italy, the company contributed to the Cesvi (Italian NGO) basic necessities’ home delivery project for people in risk groups or in difficulty. While the BKT’s US subsidiary donated funds to Samaritan’s Purse, an international organization that deals with the management of health emergencies and that during the peak of the Covid-19 has built a field hospital in New York’s Central Park. 

People First 

BKT’s goal has always been to put the wellbeing of its own people in first, given time and again management has put people at the center of its decisions and operations. In these times the care initiative has given rise to the production in Bhuj, along with the confidence in the leadership team at large. 

Bhuj being a true community factory, a modern campus sits alongside the production plant, a range of free facilities are dedicated to the employees of the plant and their families, e.g. a hospital, a recreation center, club and as from today a leading-edge Covid-19 treatment center. 

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About BKT: 

Balkrishna Industries Ltd. (BKT) is a tire manufacturing company based in India. The BKT group manufacturers an extensive and modern range of off-highway tires specifically for vehicles operating in agricultural, industrial, earthmoving, mining, port, ATV, and gardening industries. BKT’s innovative solutions are designed to meet the most demanding ranges of use and entail over 2,700 different products sold in more than 160 countries worldwide. Visit the website www.bkt-tires.com.

BKT Canada: 55 York Street, Suite 401, Toronto – Ontario M5J 1R7

BKT PRESS OFFICE Contacts: Hill+Knowlton Strategies Laura Pedrali [email protected] Cell: +47 47 68 67 33 www.bkt-tires.com