Staff from a wealth management firm are helping to restore unused or discarded hospital equipment to aid over 130,000 people in India.

The project, undertaken by AXA, will be providing much needed equipment to a community health centre in Khimsar and 50 villages in the vicinity.

Medical equipment that has been acquired through the fundraising efforts of AXA’s employees around the globe includes a digital X-ray machine.

An ultra sound ECG machine, cardiac monitor, incubator, and a vital ambulance, which will vastly improve the access to medical care for the areas surrounding the medical centre, were also obtained.

A nurse from AXA will support the healthcare professionals with the installation and the equipment training.

Many of the patients of the community hospital are women and new-born children so AXA employees have been raising funds to employ a midwife for the centre on an ongoing basis.

The official launch took place last week with Gajendra Singh, Minister for Industry and Sport, Government of Rajasthan and the Maharaja of Khimsar Rajendra Rathore, Minister for Health, Government of Rajasthan.

The AXA SOLIMED (Solidarity Medical) scheme was founded in 2011, originally supported by the company’s AXA Assistance business, and had since been adopted by the AXA Group as part of its ongoing commitment to sustainability and in support of its community responsibility programme.

Mike Kellard, chief corporate responsibility officer for AXA UK and Ireland, raised money for the programme through the AXA Wealth cycling challenge last year.

He said: “Having seen the difference that the AXA SOLIMED programme has already made to the lives of people around the world, I am thrilled that AXA colleagues in the UK, France and India have come together once again to support this community. I am sure it will make a valuable contribution for years to come.”

Dr J.K Saini, director of the Community Hospital of Khimsar, said: “It will change the way we practice medicine here and change the lives of many people.”