Defence Minister lauds Armed Forces in containing Coronavirus; Forces now to provide Hospitals and Labs

New Delhi, March 27: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday has praised the role played by the Indian Armed Forces and other departments of Ministry of Defence (MoD) during the coronavirus outbreak in airlifting all the evacuees and providing all the quarantine facilities. He has now urged to "gear up their preparedness and provide all required assistance to the civilian administration at various levels" whereas the Forces have set up hospitals and first virus testing laboratory for the suspected cases.

 

The Minister held a review meeting with senior officials of MoD on the action plan of the Ministry to deal with the virus pandemic. The officials briefed him about various measures and assistance provided so far.

 

 

The Indian Air Force has made several sorties and evacuated Indian nationals from affected areas in China, Japan and Iran. Meanwhile, an IAF hospital in Bangalore became the first laboratory undertaking virus testing. It will immensely enhance the region's ability to carry out quick testing of suspected cases and allow prompt and timely intervention where required.

 

The IAF aircraft is continuously flying to provide medical supplies and doctors to Leh and fly out blood samples for the virus testing to Chandigarh and Delhi. It has also set-up a 24x7 crisis management cell at Air Headquarters and various Command Headquarters to assess the current situation and provide quick response and assistance whenever required. It has created nine quarantine facilities of 200-300 personnel capacity each, at nodal IAF bases across the country.

 

Armed Force which has successfully evacuated from virus-hit countries including the Indian nationals and foreign nationals have set up various quarantine facilities that have handled 1,462 evacuees and discharged 389. Currently, 1,073 persons are being provided care at the facilities in Manesar, Hindan, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Mumbai. Additional quarantine facilities are on standby with 950 beds capacity.

 

On the other hand, "the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) laboratories have manufactured 20,000 litres of sanitizer and supplied to various organisations, including 10,000 litres to Delhi police. DRDO has also supplied 10,000 masks to Delhi police personnel. It is tying up with some private companies to make personal protection equipment such as bodysuits and also ventilators. The Ordnance Factory Board has also ramped up production of sanitizers, masks and bodysuits. Bharat Electronics Limited is also engaged in manufacturing of ventilators," the statement read.

 

The Armed Force is not only taking care of the situation in India but is also offering help to other countries. Several army medical teams that were deployed in the Maldives have returned after completion of their mission. Other army medical teams and two ships of Navy are on standby to provide the required assistance to friendly countries in the neighbourhood.

 

All the Chiefs of Armed Force attend the meeting. Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal R K S Bhadauria, Chief of Army Staff General M M Naravane, Secretary (Defence Production) Shri Raj Kumar, Secretary (Ex-Servicemen Welfare) Smt Sanjeevanee Kutty and Secretary Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr G Satheesh Reddy attended the meeting.