- Secto Spindles conducted antibody tests on all its employees for COVID19 to identify the vulnerability of employees
- 11 workers with a count of 4 or above IgG antibodies have committed to donating their plasma for treatment of COVID19 patients
- All the employees are given guidelines stating healthy habits, apart from weekly meetings conducted by the company
It was well into the lockdown when Rajesh Mandlik, Managing Director of Setco Spindle India came across an idea. At a time when news of inhumane behavior meted out against COVID19 positive people and fear-stricken distancing by others were rampant, Rajesh thought of conducting an antibody test on all his employees just to be sure if anyone from his company had already been unknowingly infected before. The idea was soon followed by prompt action and an antibody test was conducted for all. Many other companies soon follow in the footstep of their workforce as well.
Little did he know then that his initiative would spark an even greater initiative, an initiative that would ripple through many hearts. Employees from his company as well as from companies in the vicinity who tested positive for antibody donated their plasma, so far considered an effective treatment for COVID19 patients.
What started primarily as a precautionary measure to identify the vulnerability and lessen anxiety among the people within the organisation, turned out to be a noble initiative capable of saving many lives outside his organization in the society. In conversation with Machine Maker, Rajesh Mandlik, Machine Maker talks about the importance of employee welfare, the COVID19 situation, and the importance of such tests in companies.
Taking care of People & Industry: Initial idea
Travel is a significant part of the business. At once, 15-16 of Setco employees have to be traveling for various purposes. This posed a threat to the other employees and the possibility of a breakout inside the company. After 6 deaths in Bajaj Auto Ltd and 300 cases of the virus, the manufacturing industry was shaken. According to Mr. Mandlik, this gave way to the idea of an antibody test for all the workers.
As the employees had to travel to states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, states that have been severely hit by the virus, this test seemed to be the right way in deciding who should be allowed to travel. The presence of the antibody helped the company schedule travel plans in such a way that only people who had already been infected and had since recovered would be allowed to travel to different states.
Why the COVID Antibody Test?
According to ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research), the presence of an IgG antibody indicates that the person was infected with the coronavirus and has recovered. The antibody also ensures immunity against the virus for the subsequent 90 days after the antibody has appeared. “COVID Antibody Test tells us if we’re immune to COVID or not,” explains Dr. Vaibhavee Mandlik, an MD Pathology at Shodh Pathology Laboratory, who conducted the tests at Setco.
In Setco alone at least 21 people, out of 85 tested, had tested positive for the antibody. These people were either asymptomatic or showed mild symptoms of the virus before recovery. Interestingly, after reaching out to other people, Mr. Mandlik was able to get three other companies in doing the tests on their employees. “We have to support our people. I’m going to follow the same practice,” says Rajesh Pawar, Managing Director at Mikro Innotech India Private Limited, a close friend of Mr. Mandlik’s and one of those leaders from the industry who decided to follow in the footsteps of Setco Spindles India.
The story was later posted on social media platforms to spread the word and encourage more people to go through the test to ensure the safety of workers. Two doctors from Pune came across the story on Facebook and reached out to Mr. Mandlik, and they requested that, out of those who had tested for antibodies, the ones with a count of 4 or above agree to donate their plasma for the treatment of other patients afflicted with the virus. A total of 11 people accepted the request and became COVID19 warriors saving others’ lives.
Combating COVID19: Awareness is the Saviour
“As long as it is there, you can’t run away from it,” says Mr. Mandlik, stating a fact that most people seem to be unaware of still. It is time we get used to the idea of uncomfortable tests, itchy masks, and foul-smelling sanitisers. If the virus is here to stay, we might as well take notice and act with precaution until a vaccine is available. Setco is one of those companies that can proudly claim to have understood this extremely important detail.
“We did not create any fear around it. In fact, we told them that they should be ready to face this,” explains Mr. Mandlik when asked about the reaction of the employees to such an idea. Setco managed to do what many organisations are still struggling to achieve, either because of incompetency or ignorance. Ever since the resumption of duties on May 13, the leaders at Setco would meet with all the employees on Saturdays and explain what situation they were dealing with.
The reality of COVID was neither dismissed nor taken lightly. They were given sheets with guidelines on how to stay healthy and build up immunity. The guidelines clearly advise employees to take steam, gargle with turmeric and hot water, sleep well, and exercise. The company distributed Vitamin C tablets and provided everyone with boiled eggs on Saturdays for protein to help keep them healthy.
Commenting on what Setco Spindles did, Narendra Borse, Managing Director of Norbar Torque Tools India commented that Rajesh Mandlik took an excellent initiative. He said, “Initially, everyone was denying community spread. However, Sero-survey in Pune established that over 65% were found to have antibodies, and more testing is necessary to get things under control. Plasma / Blood donation is indeed a noble cause. I salute your team members who have agreed for plasma donation”.
Healthy Lifestyle & Taking Precautions
“It is a good initiative because we come to know of the status of the workers in a company then people who are IgG positive can be assigned with frontline work like travel and public interaction as they would be immune. Of course, they would still have to follow all the precautions regarding the virus,” explains Mr. Mandlik. This step taken by Setco inspires a need to step forward and do whatever we are capable of to battle this pandemic as a community. Moreover, we no longer live in a world where neutrality will be appreciated in times of a global quandary.
COVID19 cases are still on the rise, and many suspect that a new wave of infections may hit India. It is people like Mr. Mandlik who question how we have been dealing with the situation until now. Under his leadership, Setco Spindles not only took charge of taking precautions for its employees, but it also encouraged the workers to practice a healthy lifestyle. How people respond to each other in times of crisis is the true essence of being human.
Setco Spindles set an example of being so by the timely response and an eagerness to do better when the country has been hit by an unprecedented pandemic. Setco Spindles India Pvt Ltd, based out of Pune, is a global leader in the design, manufacture, and service of high precision spindles, machining, and special products. You can reach Setco Spindles at, www.setco.com
