The health infrastructure of Jharkhand reeling under intense pressure of Covid-19 pandemic got a boost after 23 division of Indian Army in Ranchi started a 50-beds special Covid care centre at its military hospital at Namkum in Ranchi.

This has come as a great relief for the state government which is taking all possible steps to provide medical care to Covid 19 patients at a time when hospitals are overburdened with patients. Sources in the army told The Pioneer that the Covid care centre became operational from Tuesday and the admission of patients has started.

Indian Army has two military hospitals based in Ranchi and another in Ramgarh. But, sources refused to comment whether or not similar provision has been made for army hospital in Ramgarh. 

About a week back Chief Minister Hemant Soren held a high level meeting with senior officials of Indian Army to seek assistance of Indian Army to contain the pandemic.

The meeting was attended by chief secretary Sukhdeo Singh, development commissioner cum health secretary Arun Kumar Singh, urban development secretary Vinay Choubey, secretary of disaster management department Amitabh Kaushal, Brigadier Sanjay Katiar (station commander), Brigadier Rajat Shukla (commandant military hospital Namkum) and Colonel Vivek.

Chief Minister had suggested that Indian Army should allow its health infrastructure for the treatment of civilians suffering from Covid 19. He assured the state government will provide all necessary support and resources to army hospital like oxygen, ventilators and others. 

The army hospital in Ranchi has 400 beds out of which 200 beds are reserved for Covid 19 patients. There are 18 beds with oxygen support whereas the army is in the process to upgrade another 30 beds as oxygen supported. The 50 beds will be other than existing 400 beds. But civilians are not admitted in the army hospital as the facility remains reserved for army personnel and their family members. Ramgarh army hospital is smaller in size with 120 beds.