Ramping up its efforts in the fight against corona, especially shortage of oxygen, the Armed forces have decided to import 23 oxygen generation plants and containers from Germany. Each plant can generate 2,400 litres of oxygen per hour, thereby, enhancing the capabilities of the hospitals to treat patients. The plants are expected to be in India next week.
In addition, the Defence Ministry has decided to give extension to Short Service Commissioned Doctors in Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) till December 31, 2021. “This will augment the strength of AFMS by 238 more doctors,” Defence Minister Rajnath Sigh said on Twitter on Friday.
As regards importing oxygen plants, Defence Ministry Spokesperson A. Bharat Bhushan Babu said, “23 mobile oxygen generation plants are being airlifted from Germany. These will be deployed in AFMS hospitals catering to the COVID patients.” These oxygen generating plants are expected within a week.
Elaborating on the capability of the oxygen generation plants, Babu said each plant has a capacity to produce 40 litres of Oxygen per minute and 2,400 litres an hour at which rate it can cater to 20-25 patients round the clock. “The advantage of these plants is that they are easily portable. A total of 23 such plants are being imported as of now,” he added.
Stating that the mobile oxygen generation plants being procured will be deployed in static hospitals and provide adequate oxygen to the needy, the official added that a large number of oxygen concentrators are also under procurement.
Besides this step, the Base Hospital in Delhi Cantonment is being converted into a 1,000 bed Covid hospital and should be activated in a week, an Army official said.
In a related development, to meet the pressing requirement for oxygen in hospitals across the country, the IAF has deployed heavy transport aircraft for airlifting big oxygen tankers from filling stations to the required destinations.
“C-17 and IL-76 aircraft airlifted cryogenic oxygen containers from Air Force Station Hindan to Panagarh for recharging, in support of the fight against Covid-19. Similar airlift tasks are underway across the country,” the IAF said. A COVID testing set up load was also airlifted to Leh.
Moreover, Chinook and Mi-17 helicopters are on standby. Tasks undertaken include airlift of doctors and nursing staff from Kochi, Mumbai, Vizag and Bangalore for various hospitals at Delhi.
The C-17 and IL-76 aircraft of IAF have started airlifting big empty oxygen tankers from their place of use to the filling stations across the country to speed up the distribution of much needed oxygen. In addition to this, the C-17 and IL-76 have transported large quantities of load comprising bio safety cabinets and autoclave machines for setting up of an additional COVID test facility at Leh.