THREE friends have come together to help sponsor oxygen concentrators for those who are infected with the coronavirus in the hope that their gesture will save lives.
 
Their contribution comes as Covid-19 numbers chart new highs, leaving the hospitals in dire need of respiratory equipment.
 
Pooling their resources together and with the support of family members and friends, they managed to procure two 10-litre oxygen concentrators, which they then donated to the Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital (HTAR) in Klang.
 
Mohan Kumar Sammathuria, 50, said one reason for their endeavour was the spike in fatalities due to the coronavirus.
 
He told The Malaysian Insight that their main objective was to help those who were suffering from breathing difficulties.
 
“Looking at the figures, we were worried about the rising number of cases and the lives lost. We wanted to see what we could do to help reduce the numbers.
 
“Being few in number, we can’t do much. But if we can help one or two people with the oxygen concentrators, then we have done our job.”
 
Relating a friend’s experience, Mohan said he was saddened to hear that he had lost his wife and mother-in-law to Covid-19.
 
“My friend, who is from Penang, has two teenagers. The whole family tested positive. All of them recovered except for his wife and mother-in-law, who were admitted to hospital and later passed on. 
 
“It is hard to hear such things. My colleagues also lost loved ones. It’s very difficult.”
 
Malaysia yesterday hit a record 17,045 daily cases, which drove the national caseload to 1,013,438. Selangor continued to account for the bulk of the cases, with 8,500 infections.
 
According to the Health Ministry, 970 patients were in intensive care units, 501 of them in need of respiratory support.
 
With 92 deaths reported yesterday, the death toll has grown to 7,994.

Mohan, who works as a senior assistant director at the Malaysian Meteorological Department, said his friends – Dev Balakrishnan, 49, and retiree Vimalanathan Arampoo, 62 –  joined in the venture with him.
 
“We have been doing charity work in and around Selangor for many years now, providing food aid and educational help.
 
“When we saw the high number of deaths, we knew we had to do something. With the expansion of wards, more equipment will be needed.”
 
After speaking with some doctor friends, they realised that oxygen concentrators were a vital piece of equipment that were sorely needed to help category four patients infected with Covid-19. These patients needed respiratory assistance because of pneumonia.
 
Each 10-litre oxygen concentrator unit costs between RM14,000 and RM15,000. 

Mohan said they approached friends and family members to help their cause.
 
“After our explanations, they came on board. We also encouraged them to inform their friends.
 
“We started the donation drive through WhatsApp on July 17. In one week, we collected RM40,000.”
 
He said they are still collecting funds and will appreciate any public assistance.
 
“We aim to buy more oxygen concentrator units.”
 
Dev, who formerly worked for the Foreign Affairs Ministry, said they wanted to contribute something different as many others were giving items such as food and face masks.
 
“Food aid they can get. But when they lack oxygen, it’s life. All lives matter.”
 
Dev added that he was amazed by the quick response from family members and friends.  They were all ready to help after hearing the rationale behind our move. We are thankful.”
 
Dev said that two of his friends are still in hospital because of the virus. “One is in Hospital Kuala Lumpur while the other is in Klang Hospital.
 
Vimalanathan said that while they have been doing charity work for a long time, they have decided to take a different approach this time to help those in need.
 
He said that while it was a humbling experience to provide food aid, there were other areas that needed attention.
 
“A lot of people are suffering without food and many people are rallying to their aid. But with the rise in cases, there are not enough beds and equipment. Hence, we decided on  oxygen concentrators as they will have a significant impact in saving lives,” he said. – July 26, 2021.