Armed Forces to import oxygen generation plants from Germany

To import portable oxygen generation plants from Germany, MoD extends tenure of SSC doctors

Amid reports of shortage of oxygen, Armed Forces Medical Services has decided to import oxygen generation plants and containers from Germany. Some 23 mobile oxygen generation plants are being airlifted from Germany and they will be deployed in military hospitals catering to Covid patients.

These oxygen generating plants are expected to reach India within a week.

Each plant has a capacity to produce 40 litres of oxygen per minute and 2,400 litres an hour. At this rate it can cater to 20-25 patients round the clock. The advantage of these plants is that they are easily portable.

Amid reports of shortage of oxygen in the hospitals during the second wave of Covid across the country, Armed Forces Medical Services has decided to import oxygen generation plants and containers from Germany to cater to the shortage.

Some 23 mobile oxygen generation plants are being airlifted from Germany. These will be deployed in military hospitals catering to Covid patients. These oxygen generating plants are expected to reach within a week.

Each plant has a capacity to produce 40 litres of oxygen per minute and 2,400 litres an hour. At this rate, it can cater to 20-25 patients round the clock. The advantage of these plants is that they are easily portable.

Earlier this week, defence minister Rajnath Singh had directed the Armed Forces and other stakeholders to go ahead with the procurement of critical medical requirements under emergency powers of procurement. As per the orders issued on Friday, DG AFMS has been sanctioned emergency procurement powers of `5 crore, Maj. Gen. rank medical officers `3 crore and Brigadier rank medical officers `2 crore.

◗ THE ARMY’S base hospital, Delhi Cantonment, has been converted into an exclusive Covid facility for the armed forces and veterans. Its capacity is being increased from 250 to 1,000 beds.

In Delhi, the Indian Army’s Base Hospital Delhi Cantonment has been converted into an exclusive Covid facility for the Indian armed forces and veterans. Its capacity is being increased from 250 to 1,000 beds. All OPDs has been shifted and function at Army Hospital Research and Referral.

Also, in a significant decision, the defence ministry is giving an extension to Short Service Commissioned doctors in AFMS till December 31, 2021, to tide over the current surge in medical services. This will augment the strength of AFMS by 238 more doctors.

Indian Air Force (IAF) has also swung into action by carrying out sorties from various parts of the country to airlift oxygen containers, cylinders, essential medicines, equipment required for setting up and sustaining Covid hospitals and facilities in the fight against a fresh surge in Covid-19 cases.

The IAF transport aircraft and helicopters have been pressed into service.

These include transport aircraft C-17, C-130J, IL-76, An-32 and Avro. 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. It is to be noted that Air Force is only transporting empty oxygen tankers to filling stations in other states to save time on one way and they come back through road or railways. This is because it’s not safe to fly tankers filled with liquid oxygen.

In addition to this, the C17 and IL-76 have transported a large quantity of load comprising bio-safety cabinets and autoclave machines for setting up an additional Covid test facility at Leh. The IAF transport and helicopter assets are on standby to be deployed at short notice.

◗ IAF HAS also swung into action by carrying out sorties from various parts of the country to airlift oxygen containers, cylinders, essential medicines, equipment required for setting up and sustaining Covid hospitals