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✅ Completed COVID-19 Response

On-site oxygen generators for three Tamil Nadu government hospitals

📍 Sirkali, Nagapattinam and Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India

✅ Project Value: $116,151 — Reached

A Rotary Global Grant installed on-site modular oxygen generation systems and backup power at three government hospitals in Sirkali, Nagapattinam and Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu.

During India's COVID-19 second wave, oxygen briefly became one of the most sought-after resources in the country's public health system — demand rose close to tenfold. For government hospitals in rural Tamil Nadu, competing for that scarce national supply meant long queues, real shortages and, in the worst moments, patients who couldn't be treated in time.

A district-wide search for the right three hospitals

Rotary District 2981's TRF team, working with local Rotarians, assessed more than ten hospitals across the district before selecting three government facilities most concentrated on COVID-19 care: Government General Hospital Sirkali, Government General Hospital Nagapattinam, and Thanjavur Medical College Hospital. Global Grant GG2128079 was delivered by the Rotary Club of Pondicherry Central (District 2981), with the Rotary Club of Ryde (District 9685) as international sponsor.

What the grant delivered

Backed by US$116,151 in funding, the project supplied:

  • 3 modular oxygen generation systems (100 litres per minute each, serving 20 patients at 5 LPM per bed, with a five-year maintenance contract)
  • A 62.5kVA diesel backup generator for the Sirkali facility, including installation
  • Equipment training for hospital staff at all three sites

Funded across two districts

The project was funded through District Designated Funds from Districts 2981 and 9685, together with cash contributions from the Rotary Clubs of The Hills-Kellyville and Ryde. Each hospital took ownership of its generator, with a five-year warranty and a signed MOU committing it to maintenance after that period.