At Providence, our Mission compels us to take action to extend our healing ministry where it is needed most. It is deeply saddening to watch the news and see the human suffering and devastation in India due to COVID-19.

We hold everyone affected by this pandemic close in our hearts. We are especially standing with the many Providence caregivers who have family members in India and our own caregivers at the Providence Global Center in India. We opened the center last year to build new functions and capabilities to drive focused efforts in health care technology and digital transformation.

How Providence is responding

Providence is offering support in the form of donations to local hospitals and non-profits to help meet some of India’s most pressing needs during this time of crisis. This assistance:

• Helps deploy critically needed supplies, such as oxygen concentrators, to local non-governmental organizations and hospital partners, in and around our service area.
• Provides vital funding for COVID-19 response efforts at St. Joseph Hospital in Nagpur, a part of the global community of the Sisters of St. Joseph.
• Supports care services in Hyderabad, helping the set-up of intermediary hospitals, through United Way.

On behalf of Providence, the St. Joseph Community Partnership Fund is contributing $150,000, including $50,000 in matching funds for caregiver donations. Denali, a Providence partner, has also committed $100,000.

If you feel called to give, please consider donating via our fundraising page.

In addition to a dedicated COVID support team ready to assist any Providence caregiver or family member facing difficulty caring for themselves or a loved one, we are offering our caregivers in India a portal with timely COVID resources and tools. Caregiver well-being remains at the forefront, with updates to caregiver assistance programming, expanded access to teleconsultation, and enhanced medical insurance coverage to ease the way of individuals affected by the current crisis.

Caregivers and their families, in India and in the U.S., also have access to 24/7 counseling support for emotional well-being as they navigate the pandemic and other life’s challenges.

In addition, the bishops of India have shared a call to join in a global prayer at noon on Friday, May 7. For caregivers who would like to send hope and healing to those affected by the pandemic, please consider participating in your own, personal way.

Thank you to the many caregivers across Providence’s family of organizations who, rather than being complacent or numb, have asked, “What can we do to help?” Your spirit of compassion is a living testament to our values in action.