Army ramps up training of troops to deal with coronavirus

Vijay Mohan

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 26

As more cases of persons being infected with the coronavirus (COVID-19) emerge across the country, the Armed Forces Medical Services have ramped up training of its personnel and put into effect additional safety procedures to deal with the pandemic.

According to army sources, additional capsule courses, summaries and advisories have been developed for medical and para-medical personnel at military hospitals and medical establishments in the field. Measures adopted by other countries for treatment, sanitisation and other precautionary measures are also being studied.

“As the focus of research and studies across the global medical fraternity converges on coronavirus, we are sharing the findings and recommendations with our personnel,” an army doctor said. “Regular briefings on the subject are being held for hospital staff and they are being updated constantly on the threat being posed and the measures to mitigate it,” he added.

Standing hospital operating procedures, treatment methodology, emergency response teams and test facilities have been reviewed and fine-tuned for catering to the unprecedented situation. Besides medical staff, troops in all stations and field establishments are being regularly briefed and cautioned about preventive measures to be adopted.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is also in the centre of the fight, with some of its laboratories associated with bio-sciences being involved in developing items like protective gear, body suits, ventilators, sanitisers.

While the services have already set up quarantine facilities at some place to accommodate civilians evacuated from abroad, isolation facilities have come up in all military hospitals and stations to deal with any fallout. More such facilities can be set up if required, for which sites have been identified and infrastructure has been earmarked. Besides military personnel, they may also cater to the civilian population if need be.

The services have also implemented several other measures like reducing the office strength, restricting leave and movement, suspending training courses and staggaring drill and meal timings.