Leading digital payments and banking technology company Cashfree has pledged to support Mission Oxygen, a campaign initiated by Democracy People Foundation, to help hospitals across India get access to oxygen concentrators.
“In association with online crowdfunding platform Ketto, the fintech leader will be contributing ₹1 for every ₹1 received as a donation on the platform, up to a total of ₹40 lakhs, for oxygen concentrators. During the campaign, Cashfree will be the exclusive payment gateway used to accept donations by Ketto,” the statement said.
“Mission Oxygen is aimed at helping hospitals across India get immediate access to oxygen concentrators and cylinders. This self-funded, 100% non-for-profit and charitable initiative, has already raised more than ₹27 crores as of 2nd May, facilitating orders for more than 3,900 concentrators. Cashfree’s support will further boost the numbers, ensuring more hospitals across rural as well as urban locations can be one step closer to a hindrance-free oxygen supply,” Statement added.
Speaking on the development, Akash Sinha, CEO, and Co-founder of Cashfree said, “With the number of COVID-19 cases increasing rapidly, India is now facing its worst oxygen shortfall. Numerous hospitals are seen reporting oxygen shortages, to an extent where lives are being risked. In light of these times, we are glad to partner with Democracy People Foundation for the initiative, #MissionOxygen, to facilitate concentrators for hospitals so that patients who need oxygen can have easy access to it. This collaboration will help tackle the crisis, by ensuring hospitals across all locations are adequately equipped with oxygen concentrators for emergency relief.”
Talking about the partnership, Varun Aggarwal, Founder of Designhill and Trustee of Democracy People Foundation said, “Mission Oxygen, within 9 days of initiating the fundraising, has already helped over 28 hospitals across the country with 144 oxygen concentrators. The foundation in a short period has put in strong governance and audit processes for assessing real-time demand and allocation of more than 6,000 oxygen concentrators that have already been procured and expected to be distributed by May 20th. We truly value Cashfree’s partnership in our endeavor to overcome the oxygen deficit at hospitals across India by supporting and enhancing the existing healthcare infrastructure to fight the onslaught of COVID-19.”
Commenting on the partnership, Varun Sheth, CEO & Co-founder, Ketto.org, said, “We are delighted to partner with Cashfree for their philanthropic endeavor to support Mission Oxygen. The initiative will help us to support hospitals with the maximum supply of oxygen concentrators and save as many as lives possible. At Ketto, we are constantly working towards bridging the accessibility and affordability gap. For the past two weeks, Ketto has hosted over 2,500 COVID relief campaigns of which 30% have been for oxygen and COVID care supplies. So far have raised around INR 100 crore about COVID relief campaigns. We look forward to working with Cashfree and assisting them with their noble endeavor.”
“Aprat from this Cashfree also announced donate from its CSR funds to support the campaign in channeling efforts towards pandemic relief in the country,” the statenent said.