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Right now, Pulse Oximeter, a critical device to check the oxygen saturation level of people affected by COVID is in short supply in India.

In Trivandrum, a medical store is selling it for Rs 2,500 a piece. And the product is out of stock. A week back, the same shop was selling it for Rs 1,800. I heard that in Bangalore, the price is around Rs 4,000 for a good quality device.

Shortage of Pulse Oximeter
We don’t have time to wait for cases to come down. We need these things at war footing. Already people are in a panic mode, looking for essentials things like Oxygen, Pulse Oximeter, and medicines. Also, we are still dependent on Chinese devices to fill the gap. So, there’s no better time than now to make this in India!

Why I appeal to WIPRO?
Reason is that Wipro has expertise in manufacture of electrical and electronic components. They can utilize their knowledge base to make a prototype and manufacture it in a week’s time. Also, they can use the Azim Premji foundation to donate this device to many government hospitals and to NGOs who are in the front lines of the fight against Corona.

Made in India, Pulse Oximeter by Wipro would be a great brand story. Also, if they decide to manufacture it, it should be able to make and distribute it across India, using its network.

I hope this message will be heard, not just by Wipro, even thought I had directly appealed to the Wipro chief. .There are many industry giants like TATA, who also can take this project up, considering the urgency..

Also, there are many companies like Reliance, PayTM, or any start-up can take this project..

Let’s see how Indian leadership will come with a cohesive strategy to win over the pandemic.