Oxygen plant donated by Italy starts at ITBP-run hospital

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 6

A medical oxygen generation plant, which has been sent by Italy to tackle the Covid-19 health emergency in India and can support 100 patients at one time, was operationalised at a CAPF hospital located in Greater Noida on Thursday.

Officials said the machinery for the plant was brought to India onboard a special flight a few days back and the Centre had deployed it at the CAPF referral hospital.

“Italian Ambassador to India Vincenzo De Luca switched on the plant at a ceremony that was attended by senior ITBP officers. The plant has been installed and made operational at the hospital campus within 48 hours, the border guarding force stated.”

It will supply medical oxygen to more than 100 Covid-19 beds available at the hospital, it added. The CAPF hospital primarily caters to the personnel of various police and paramilitary organisations, their families, veterans of these forces that function under the command of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

Speaking at the switching-on function, Luca said the plant would be at the hospital “permanently” and it was a sign of friendship and solidarity between the two countries.

Recounting as to how some Italian tourists in India were treated at the ITBP medical set-up when they contracted Covid last year, he said, “We do not forget this (gesture by India)... this friendship and solidarity with India will continue...”