Continuing its efforts to contribute to the national effort to fight the corona pandemic, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has set up a 500-bed hospital in Haldwani, Uttrakhand. Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat inaugurated it virtually on Wednesday.
The hospital has 375 oxygen beds and 125 ICU beds with ventilators. With 100 per cent power backup, it is centrally air conditioned for all weather conditions. Pathology laboratory, Pharmacy, X-Ray and ECG . are inherent part of the facility. The Centre will become fully operational from Thursday, officials said here on Wednesday.
A control centre with Wi-Fi, CCTVs and helpline number has also been established for proper monitoring and hospital management through modern system software. Doctors and nursing staff to run the facility would be provided by co-located Government Medical College, Haldwani, they said.
This hospital, which has been built in 21 days, is the result of the efforts of the workforce of 350 persons who worked relentlessly round the clock under adverse weather conditions. This time-bound challenging task involved coordination among various government agencies and arranging mammoth quantity of stores amidst countrywide lockdown.
Ample measures have been taken in design and functioning of the hospital to meet any unforeseen challenges in future. Mandatory fire safety norms have been ensured with fire detection alarm system, fire hydrants, and fire-fighting equipment.
In the present Covid situation, this Covid Care Centre will be an invaluable asset for the people of Uttarakhand, providing timely essential medical care during the pandemic. It has been dedicated and named after late General Bipin Chandra Joshi who belonged to Uttarakhand and was the 17th Chief of Indian Army.
Member of Parliament Dr Ajay Bhatt, Minister in Uttarakhand Government Bansidhar Bhagat, Leader of Opposition, Uttarakhand Dr Indira Hridayesh and senior officials of DRDO and state government were present on the occasion. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has lauded the DRDO for its continuous timely assistance during this pandemic.
The DRDO has in the past few months set up several big health facilities in cities live Varanasi, Jammu, Delhi, Lucknow, Ahmedabad and Patna to treat corona patients.
Besides this, the DRDO has also set up oxygen plants at some hospitals including the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi using the technology used to supply oxygen to the Tejas light combat aircraft(LCA).