Hyderabad, Apr 26 (IANS): Asaduddin Owaisi led Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) on Monday launched a helpline to provide medicines and oxygen free of cost for Covid-19 affected undergoing treatment at home.

The helpline has been set up by Majlis Charity Educational and Relief Trust in collaboration with Access Foundation.

People can contact the helpline on 73066-00600 from 6 a.m. till midnight.

A team of doctors will be present to guide patients and their attendants on treatment.

The Hyderabad MP told said anybody in need of help relating to Covid-19 treatment can contact the helpline. The doctors will examine each case and will decide whether the patient needs medicine kit or oxygen.

Owaisi said as per the advise of the doctors, the MIM volunteers including MLAs and corporators will deliver oxygen cylinders at the doorsteps of the patients.

A total of 250 oxygen cylinders and medicine kits have been kept at the Covid War Room set up at a functional hall at Aghapura.

Calling the helpline a small effort to help mitigate the suffering of people, the MIM chief said they would spend Rs 1.40 crore on this in the first phase.

He said the money mobilized in the form of public donations by the MIM every year during Islamic month of Rabiul Awwal will be used for the helpline. "Every year we spend Rs 60-70 lakh to help poor students of government-run schools, especially Urdu medium schools and to give cash awards to meritorious students. Since, the funds are not being utilized due to closure of schools because of Covid, we are diverting them for Covid relief," he said.

Owaisi said they purchased oxygen cylinders and medicines from these funds. The expenses for 24 call executives at the helpline will also be met from this money.

The MP said the alumni of Deccan Medical College in North America will also become part of this effort. Deccan Alumni of North America (DANA) has come forward to help in the Covid relief by providing their services. They included experts who worked at Covid hospitals in North America.