• The helpline will address Elder Care issues related to Food & Provisions, Medicine & Medical Consultation, Counselling and Government advisories during lockdown
• The helpline number 7428518030 is run by a dedicated team of JKLU faculty, staff and students

Elderly people are especially vulnerable to severe illness caused due to corona virus and to safeguard this section of the society, JK Lakshmipat University, in association with the District Administration of Jaipur has launched a dedicated helpline service called ‘Sharing-Caring’.  According to Rajasthan’s Additional Chief Secretary-Health Mr. Rohit Kumar Singh, out of 1,351 positive cases registered in Rajasthan till last weekend, 10.88% are senior citizens who have been tested positive.

Elderly people can call on the helpline number 7428518030 everyday between 9 AM and 7 PM and get help if they feel stressed or worried, need essentials such as food, provisions, medicines, want medical support or consultation, need information on COVID 19 from government, want to talk to one of the volunteers, or wish to learn about using technology to help in times of COVID-19. The initiative is supported by Samarth Community, India’s leading eldercare organisation. The noble initiative was launched by Dr. Joga Ram, District Collector of Jaipur.

The helpline is being run entirely by a team of JKLU faculty, staff, students and alumni led by a committed core team of some senior faculty and staff members of the university.

“Older people, especially those with pre-existing medical conditions like heart disease, lung disease, diabetes or cancer, are more prone to getting affected by coronavirus than other age groups. In Rajasthan, we have seen a good number of senior citizens are affected by it and many of them are lonely and secluded, without any support. The toll-free number has been launched keeping in view the distressed life of senior citizens, as there is no dedicated wing that works towards their needs. They can call us anytime between 9 AM and 7 PM for assistance,” said Dr R L Raina, Vice Chancellor, JK Lakshmipat University.

Dr Ram also appreciated the unique contribution and idea of the University and said he would look forward to more such innovative ways of working together with JKLU in the future. Sh. Purushottam Sharma, SDM, who is the nodal officer from the Jaipur administration, has assured full support of the government to make this helpline successful.