Defence forces engaged in helping Covid-hit: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

Tribune News Service/PTI

New Delhi, May 6

The armed forces as well as organisations like the Defence Research and Development Organisation and National Cadet Corps (NCC) are engaged in mitigating the sufferings of the people amid the Covid-19 surge, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said here on Thursday.

In a blog post on his website, Rajnath enlisted the steps, including mobilisation of health professionals and setting up of new Covid facilities, taken by the defence ministry’s organisations to deal with the surge.

Some 200 drivers of the armed forces are on a standby for driving oxygen transporters to various parts of the country, he said in a post. Also, 10 TATRA (a truck used to transport heavy equipment) and 15 large vehicles are on a standby to trans-ship any medical supply arriving at the Palam airport.

The Army on Friday mobilised two of its field hospitals from Northeast by air to Patna to assist the government of Bihar, while separately setting up an exclusive Covid management cell in Delhi with a Lt General-rank officer heading it. The cell will coordinate real-time responses to address the exponential rise in Covid cases across the country, including Delhi where assistance to civil administration in the form of testing and transportation of medical equipment is already being provided.

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