Entain Foundation to Provide Oxygen Concentrators and Covid-19 Fighting Drugs to India via Crown Agents

Entain, the leading global sports betting and gaming entertainment group, has donated £100,000 to fund relief efforts in response to the unfolding Covid-19 emergency in India. Through the Group’s independent Entain Foundation (“the Foundation”), the Group is supporting the work of Crown Agents, the not-for-profit international development organisation, which will arrange and oversee distribution of support.

Current estimates put the number of new infections at up to 500,000 cases a day, with the World Health Organisation reporting that nearly half of all new Covid-19 cases globally were in India last week. The crisis has meant that many Indian hospitals are unable to cope with the volume of patients and are experiencing a chronic lack of oxygen and other key medical supplies.

Entain’s donation will enable Crown Agents to supply 25 Invacare Platinum Oxygen concentrators, as well as the drugs Remdesivir, Tocilizumab and Dexamethasone, used in the treatment of the virus. The combination of the oxygen concentrators and medical supplies will allow for the treatment of more Covid-19 patients in their own homes, in turn reducing some of the strain on India’s medical infrastructure.

Entain is closely linked to India, employing over 2,500 people via its IvyTech subsidiary in Hyderabad. The Group is making extensive efforts in support of its Indian-based colleagues and their families on the ground, including the procurement of critical medicines, emergency hospitalisation support, assistance with medical insurance and online medical consultations. In addition to this, the Foundation believes it is vital to contribute to the wider relief effort. This decision is in line with the Foundation’s commitment to support the communities in which Entain operates.

Commenting on the donation, Jette Nygaard-Andersen, CEO of Entain said:

“We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our colleagues and the Indian people at large in what is a hugely challenging time for all. We hope that the supply of oxygen concentrators and Covid-19 drugs will make a contribution to helping in the fight against this dreadful virus.”

Fergus Drake, CEO of Crown Agents said:

“We are deeply concerned about the current situation in India. Especially in these difficult times, we must stand together to beat the virus globally, once and for all. We very much welcome Entain’s support and are committed to continue to work with our funders globally to beat this deadly disease.”