Why TCF supported FCTA with Covid-19 palliatives---Upadhyaya, Marketing Director
23rd Apr, 2020

The Covid-19 pandemic has provided an occasion for some members of the nation's corporate sector to further partner with the Federal Government in a bid to soften the necessary blow on the masses from the ongoing lockdown to contain the virus.

One of these concerned bodies is Tulsi Chanrai Foundation (TCF) which donated palliative items to Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) for onward transmission to the most vulnerable in the Territory. Outgoing Director of Marketing, TCF, Mr. Sanjay Upadhyaya, who just completed a one-year tour of duty in Nigeria and is awaiting resumption of international flight operations back to India, answered questions online posed to him by Felix Durumbah of Abuja Digest. Please read on:

Abuja Digest Weekly: Recently, TCF contributed some Covid-19 palliative items to FCTA for use by the vulnerable in society. Why would a foreign concern as yours bother about what's going on here given that some foreign firms have not shown up?
Upadhyaya: As a matter of fact, Chanrai Family is in Nigeria for over 100 years. Mr. Jagdish Chanrai, the Chairman, and his family strongly believe in 'Caring Capitalism' and giving back to the society. The family established Tulsi Chanrai Foundation (TCF) in the year 1992 with a vision that "every Nigerian should have access to quality Primary Health Care, Safe Drinking Water and Eye Care". I am sure there are other agencies / firms who are also supporting the nation during this difficult phase of life to address COVID 19.

Abuja Digest: In your recent support to FCTA as part of national COVID-19 response, what was donated by TCF?
Upadhyaya: While the need to fight the pandemic are in many areas, we at TCF supported in the first phase 40,000 packets of Indomie noodles, 20,000 of 12g sachets of Dano Milk powder and 1000 bars of Savlon medicated soap along with 1000 printed handouts on how to control the spread of the disease. We intend to continue our support based on the need.

Abuja Digest: What sort of liaison does TCF have with FCTA?
Upadhyaya: The relationship with the federal and state governments has been as old as the Tulsi Chanrai Foundation in Nigeria and from inception, our work for the good of the Nigerian society has been recognised by various state governments and the Federal Government.

Coming to FCT, the government was kind enough to allocate land to TCF for building an eye care hospital which was commissioned last year by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who also recognised the good work being done by the Foundation in the past two decades. So far, the hospital has conducted over 3500 free surgeries and will continue to give the gift of sight to the underprivileged population.

With a unique crisis faced by the world in general and Nigeria in particular, TCF came forward to associate with FCTA to support the needy with palliatives and more importantly help in increasing awareness on COVID-19 and its prevention.

Abuja Digest: TCF has been involved in other activities in FCT and Nigeria. Can you elaborate, for the sake of readers, on your activities?

Upadhyaya: Since inception, the key thrust areas of TCF continue to be Primary Health Care, Safe Water and Vision. At TCF, it is believed that these interventions are critical change agents and they give people a sense of self-control over their lives. So far, TCF has conducted over 126,000 free eye surgeries through eye hospitals at Birnin Kebbi, Calabar and the Tulsi Chanrai Foundation Eye Hospital, Abuja.

TCF has provided quality health care services to over 7.5 million people through interventions, across Nigeria. TCF currently has footprints in 32 states out of 36, in Nigeria. TCF has always been partnering with state and federal governments and civil society to plan and implement community health programs. During this difficult phase of the Covid-19 pandemic, TCF decided to join hands with the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, in partnership with

the FCT Administration, especially to support those at the bottom of the pyramid who are most adversely affected due to the lockdown announced in Abuja.

Abuja Digest: Going forward, what are your organisation's plans for FCT residents?
Upadhyaya: As part of our Mission for Vision, we will continue with our outreach programs within 100 km radius of Tulsi Chanrai Foundation Eye Hospital Abuja to provide quality eye care including free surgeries for the underprivileged population. As part of our Mission for Water, we are planning to rehabilitate boreholes to ensure safe drinking water for the needy population and are also looking for partners to support us. As part of our Mission for PHC, we are planning to scale up our Primary Health Care services in and around Abuja with innovative ideas and sustainability.