CMC Vellore (CMC) has been a leader during the COVID-19 pandemic, both in the first wave and now during the devastating second wave. On Monday, May 3rd, CMC opened the Paul Brand Block — a new state-of-the-art facility that is dedicated to providing critical care for COVID-19 patients. Originally designed to be an orthopedic care complex, CMC pivoted, redirecting the building to serve patients requiring immediate care today.
During the inauguration, CMC Director, Dr. J.V. Peter thanked Vellore’s District Collector who allowed renovation work to continue during the lockdown, knowing that the building may prove useful as the pandemic progressed. And it has.
The opening of the Paul Brand Block complex will save thousands of lives by increasing the capacity to care for critically ill patients at CMC. The complex features an ICU with 12 beds, three low-dependency wards, and 11 operating theatres.
Vellore’s District Collector described CMC as the “pride of Vellore” and the administration’s “biggest strength.” He remarked on CMC’s great ability to “render services to the sick and the suffering during the pandemic, for more than a year now.” CMC has provided remarkable care for the most vulnerable populations being disproportionately impacted by the pandemic through the support of its partners, alums, and faith-based communities globally, including here in the U.S. With the strong support of our globally minded citizens, CMC has been able to continue its charitable work at an all-time high.
Today, over 1,000 COVID-19 patients are under CMC’s care. Due to a shortage of beds, CMC launched a new and unique COVID Home Isolation & Management (CMC CoHIM) program in order to greatly reduce the stress on beds required for admission. Yet, the demand for beds continues to increase as severely ill patients await critical care at CMC. The opening of the Paul Brand Block complex is significant, and makes it possible for CMC to save more lives. With that said, its fight against this virus is far from over.
CMC’s Intensive Care Units are already at capacity. Efforts are underway to continue increasing the number of beds for COVID-19 patients 
New 12-bed ICU at the Paul Brand Block.
We are supporting CMC with a goal of raising $1.25 million by the end of this month to help CMC build up its capacity to treat COVID-19 patients. One hundred percent of these funds will go to CMC — allowing CMC to purchase necessary medical equipment including ventilators, pulse oximeters, oxygen concentrators, and BIPAP machines, and to purchase PPE to protect healthcare workers as they care for patients.
We ask our friends of Vellore to support CMC with their COVID-19 emergency response today. Your contribution can help set up additional fully equipped COVID units – like the Paul Brand Block complex. Please join us in helping CMC cope with the devastating effect of the second COVID-19 wave.
100 percent of funds raised will support CMC purchase necessary medical equipment and PPE to respond to the surge in COVID-19 cases.
