The Hindu Business Line : Siemens helps build hospital near Bhuj

SIEMENS Ltd, the Indian arm of the German engineering giant, has helped set up a hospital near Bhuj as part of the efforts to rebuild Kutch district of Gujarat that had been devastated by a quake in January 2001.

"After the quake struck on January 26, we resolved to undertake relief measures. We went around the plant and everyone gave whatever they had in their pockets. We collected Rs 25 lakh here just three days after the quake. After that, it was felt that the company should contribute something that would last a longer time and the idea of this hospital was born," according to the Siemens Workers' Union General Secretary, Mr Uday Mahale.

The company has contributed nearly $5,00,000 for post-quake activities in Bhuj and worked with the German Consulate to rally German companies for the hospital. After failing to get a suitable site for the proposed hospital from the Gujarat Government, Siemens tied up with SOS Children's Villages of India, a leading non-Government organisation, to set up the hospital at the village set up by the NGO for orphaned kids.

"After our employees took the lead in providing relief materials for the quake relief, we thought that the company should help set up a hospital that would serve the people of the region. We found a very good partner in SOS Children's Villages and managed to rope in a few other German companies to set up the hospital," said the Siemens Managing Director, Mr Jurgen Schubert, who came down personally to Bhuj for the dedication ceremony of the hospital last week.

Mr Schubert said that Siemens received $1,70,000 from other Siemens subsidiaries across the world and the quake relief was a joint effort by both the senior management and the employees' union of the company. The company, which has a major presence in medical diagnostic equipment field, has contributed machines for the hospital.

The Bhuj SOS Village has 14 family houses, a primary school and other facilities for 136 children. As per the NGO's model, children live in groups of 8-10 and each group is looked after by a `mother' who takes care of all their needs.