Gold Mercury International partners with Indian NGO Offer to help fund new hospital for children with HIV
Transformational Health Initiative Aims to Protect Vulnerable Children in India with Advanced HIV Care.
Kolkata, India / London, UK – 21 May 2025 — Gold Mercury International, the London-based global governance think tank, has announced a strategic humanitarian partnership with OFFER (Organisation For Holistic Care from Childhood to Young Adults in Need), a pioneering Indian NGO founded by Kallol Ghosh—a former UN volunteer and senior Ashoka Fellow. The partnership will fund the creation of a dedicated OFFER Hospital for Opportunistic Infections in Children Living with HIV. This groundbreaking facility will be established in Kolkata, India, where OFFER has long been a beacon of hope, working tirelessly to protect and care for orphaned and vulnerable children affected by HIV/AIDS.
The OFFER, COI HOSPITAL (Centre for Opportunistic Infections), will be the first of its kind in the region, specifically addressing the critical gap in care for children suffering from HIV-related opportunistic infections—conditions that can prove fatal without timely and specialised treatment. The facility will offer diagnostic services, advanced therapies, rehabilitation, nutritional support, and education for caregivers, helping to drastically improve the quality of life and life expectancy for these children.
“Children with HIV are not just patients; they are fighters. They face neglect, stigma, and painful infections that many hospitals are ill-equipped to handle. This hospital is our promise that they will be seen, treated, and loved with dignity. Gold Mercury’s support is a symbol of global solidarity with the most vulnerable.”
“At Gold Mercury, our mission is to catalyse transformative action through visionary leadership. The OFFER, HIV Centre for Opportunistic Infections Hospital, is a perfect embodiment of that purpose. By supporting OFFER, we are investing in the future of these brave children, giving them access to the care they deserve and the chance to lead healthier, hopeful lives. This is a step toward building a more ethical and compassionate world.”
Indian Street Children Housed at Offer’s Homes for Children
The project aligns with Gold Mercury’s commitment to sustainable global governance, human rights, and health equity. It is also part of OFFER’s long-standing work in Kolkata, where the organisation has provided shelter, care, and education for over two decades, setting global examples in compassionate, community-driven healthcare.
SIGNIFICANT DONATION
OFFER has already made a significant financial contribution to the project by donating the land and an existing building to house the new hospital. The facility will be located adjacent to OFFER’s existing children’s homes, Apanjan and Anandaghar, creating a supportive and integrated care environment.
Construction of the hospital is scheduled to begin later this year, with an initial opening planned for late 2025 and additional wards expected to become operational in 2026. The hospital will include a state-of-the-art paediatric ward, specialised units for treating infectious diseases, and training facilities for medical professionals focused on HIV care for children.
About OFFER
Founded by Kallol Ghosh—a former UN volunteer and senior Ashoka Fellow, OFFER is a Kolkata-based NGO working since 1986 to support orphaned, abandoned, and vulnerable children, especially those affected by HIV/AIDS. OFFER runs shelters, schools, and outreach programmes, transforming thousands of lives across West Bengal.
About Gold Mercury International
Founded in 1961 and based in London, Gold Mercury International is a think tank advancing sustainable global governance, peace, and ethical leadership. The organisation partners with global leaders and innovators to solve the world’s most urgent challenges and promote responsible development. The Gold Mercury Award is one of the world’s most prestigious honours, recognising extraordinary individuals and organisations that advance global governance, sustainability, and Visionary Governance®.