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Retired armed forces medics recalled, military health facilities offered to people to fight COVID-19

CDS General Rawat briefs PM Modi about efforts undertaken by armed forces

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Monday, took stock of the efforts being undertaken by the armed forces in combating the catastrophic second wave of COVID-19. 

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat visited the prime minister's office and informed PM Modi that besides deploying additional military manpower of doctors and nurses, military health infrastructure will be made available to civilians. Moreover, in view of the shortage of medical oxygen in hospitals, oxygen cylinders available with armed forces at various establishments will also be released to hospitals.

India recorded more than 3,00,000 coronavirus cases for the fifth day in a row on Monday and medical facilities are crumbling due to the shortage of oxygen, bed and essential drugs.

Amidst the surging pandemic, armed forces have amplified their efforts to provide aid to civilian authorities in the last one week.  All health facilities of defence PSUs and Ordnance Factories have already been allowed to provide health services to COVID-patients who are civilians.

General Rawat, country's senior most military man, briefed the PM that all medical personnel from armed forces who have retired or taken pre-mature retirement in the last two years are being called back to work in COVID-19 facilities that are near their present place of residence. "Other medical officers who retired earlier have also been requested to make their services available for consultation through medical emergency help lines," according to an official statement. Besides, all medical officers on staff appointments at Command HQ, Corps HQ, Division HQ and similar HQ of Navy and Air-Force will be employed at hospitals, CDS told the prime minister.

The CDS said nursing personnel are being employed in large numbers to assist doctors at hospitals. General Rawat informed the prime minister that they are creating medical facilities in large numbers where possible military medical infrastructure will be made available to civilians.

PM also reviewed the operations being undertaken by IAF to transport oxygen and other essentials in India and abroad. On Monday, IAF's C17 transport aircraft is bringing six cryogenic oxygen containers from Dubai.

During the meeting, PM told the CDS that Kendriya and Rajya Sainik Welfare Boards and officers posted in various headquarters in veteran's cells may be instructed to coordinate the services of veterans to extend the reach of COVID-19 care offered by the armed forces.

Meanwhile, Indian army has set up a special cell at the Delhi cantonment to provide "decent last rites" to veterans or their families succumbing to the pandemic. Under the Assured Decent Last Rites Scheme (ADLRS), Army gets a budget to take care of the expenses for the last rites. And now, this has been extended to the veterans and their family members.

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