Press Releases
GAIL initiates healthcare programme
New Delhi, December 22, 2005 GAIL (India) Limited organised a two day Pulmonary Function Test Training Programme for medical professionals from 23 cities at KEM Hospital, Mumbai. In the concluding session, Mr. Proshanto Banerjee, Chairman and Managing Director, GAIL and Dr. Mrudula Phadke, Vice Chancellor, Mumbai University presented the certificates to the participants. A booklet based on Pulmonary Function written by Dr. Phadke was also released on the occasion. Dr. Nilima Kshirsagar, Dean K E M Hospital, Dr. Amita Athavale, Professor and Head, Department of Chest Medicine and EPRC and other senior officials of the hospital and GAIL were present on the occasion.
The two day workshop on functional aspects of Air Pollution Related Disease Diagnostic Centres (APRDCs) was first of its kind training programme. The training programme was organized for the benefit of the doctors and technicians associated with the APRDCs set up in 23 locations and was attended by 30 participants from all over India.
As a part of its Corporate Social Responsibility initiative, GAIL has sponsored setting up of APRDCs at 23 cities in India. APRDC is a new concept in the area of health care to provide diagnostic facilities and treatment to the poorer section of the society and will facilitate baseline investigations for the diagnosis. Out of 23 centres, 12 have already become functional.
APRDC will benefit the people who may not be aware of the harmful effects of air pollution as well as create base-line data regarding occurrence and prevalence of respiratory diseases caused due to air pollution. This data shall also be useful before and after installation of CNG/PNG. Under this project, a self-contained laboratory for diagnosis of pulmonary, cardio-vascular and ophthalmologic ailments caused by suspended pollutants in the air is provided.
The state of art Pulmonary function Testing Laboratory offers equipment and expertise for undertaking details evaluation of pulmonary function, which are useful parameters used for diagnosis and prognosis of various lung disorders. They offer a valuable guide for pre-Anaesthesia workup for deciding surgical fitness.
GAIL has conceived the idea of creating and attaining a common platform on which all these APRDCs function and have an inter-linkage such that objective of setting up the laboratory yields better and greater outcome, and common people avail the advantages on nominal or reasonable charges. K E M Hospital, Mumbai is the nodal agency for imparting training in functional aspects of the APRDCs.
To combat pollution, GAIL is introducing supply of natural gas in 23 cities under Blue Sky Project in Agra, Allahabad, Kanpur, Lucknow, Mathura, Pune, Solapur, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Vijaywada, Gwalior, Indore, Jhansi, Barielly, Delhi, Ujjain, Mumbai, Kota, Kolkata, Rajhamundry, Chennai, Bangalore and Kochi. Air pollution is set to be reduced on supply of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) to transport sector and Piped Natural Gas (PNG) for domestic and commercial usage in these cities, as has happened in Delhi and Mumbai.
GAIL believes in being a company with a heart, ‘Hriday’ (GAIL’s CSR Initiative). With an effective corporate social responsibility policy in place, the company realizes the value of helping the communities. Today, GAIL’s corporate social responsibilities have stretched to the far corners of the country. The company’s commitment towards operating its core business in a socially responsible way is complemented by an investment in communities, thus, creating a positive impact on society and the environment. GAIL’s Community Initiatives include Environment Protection and Horticulture, Infrastructure, Drinking Water and Sanitation, Healthcare and Medical facilities, Community Development, Educational Aids and Literacy Enhancement.