MoD to procure 23 oxygen plants from Germany

New Delhi, April 23

The Ministry of Defence has okayed the move of the Armed Forces Medical Services to import 23 oxygen generation plants from Germany.

To tide over the crisis, the MoD has also decided to give extension to 238 Short Service Commission doctors till December 31. These doctors were to end their tenure during 2021.

The oxygen generation plants are expected to be here within one week, Defence Ministry spokesperson Bharat Bhushan Babu said on Friday. Each plant can produce 2,400 litres of oxygen per hour, thereby catering to 20-25 patients round the clock. The advantage of these plants is that they are easily portable.

As of now, these oxygen units will be deployed only at military hospitals, which are straining under an increased load of serving and retired personnel.

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

The IAF planes and copters have airlifted doctors and nursing staff from Kochi, Mumbai, Visakhapatnam and Bangalore for various hospitals at Delhi.

The C-17 and IL-76 transport aircraft of the IAF have started airlifting empty oxygen tankers from their place of use to the filling stations across the country. — TNS