The Indian Air Force (IAF) has been pressed into service for transporting medical personnel, critical equipment and medicines to COVID-19 hospitals and facilities across the country.
India is facing a massive shortage of medical-grade oxygen and several hospitals across the country are in panic mode.
Taking to Twitter, the IAF said, “The IAF transport fleet is supporting the fight against Covid-19. Air lift of medical personnel, critical equipment and medicines is underway for Covid Hospitals and facilities across the country.”
Singh held a virtual meeting to review the preparedness of the Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces to deal with the recent spike in COVID-19 cases across the country.
During the meeting, Singh was briefed about the measures taken by AFMS, DRDO, Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) and other departments of the Ministry of Defence such as the National Cadet Corps (NCC) in providing aid to the civil administration in this hour of crisis, reported ANI.
He further urged the DPSUs, OFB and DRDO to work on war footing to provide oxygen cylinders and extra beds to civil administration and state governments at the earliest.
India planning to import oxygen, equipment from other nations
India is also planning on importing oxygen containers and equipment from foreign countries and the Centre is planning to press the IAF into airlifting oxygen containers and critical equipment and supplies from other nations.
Meanwhile, the Centre announced on Wednesday evening that it was increasing the quota of oxygen in eight states, including Delhi, in view of the sudden spike in demand due to an exponential rise in the number of COVID patients admitted in hospitals.
#IndiaFightsCorona
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) April 21, 2021
The IAF transport fleet is supporting the fight against Covid-19. Air lift of medical personnel, critical equipment and medicines is underway for Covid Hospitals and facilities across the country. pic.twitter.com/eBHv2yicyR
