IAF Carried Out 23 Sorties From Abroad, Airlifting 39 Oxygen Containers: Rajnath Singh

Helping the nation in the fight against COVID-19, the Indian Air Force (IAF) carried out 23 sorties from abroad, airlifting 39 oxygen containers till yesterday, informed Union Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh on Friday.

The IAF is continuing to carry out sorties from within India and abroad to cater to the requirement of oxygen in the country, amid the current COVID-19 situation.

Earlier today, the ministry informed that Cantonment Boards have extended a helping hand to civil administration/State Governments in various parts of the country to tide over the current COVID-19 situation. “They are providing support to not just its residents, but to all those in need of medical assistance.”

“Presently 39 Cantonment Board (CB) are maintaining 40 general hospitals with 1,240 beds. The CB hospitals at Pune, Kirkee, and Deolali with 304 beds have been designated as dedicated COVID hospitals. Cantonment General Hospitals (CGHs) of Kirkee, Deolali, Dehuroad, Jhansi, and Ahmednagar have been designated as COVID care centers with 418 beds”, informed the release.

On April 24, Singh held a review meeting with ministry officials to discuss ongoing efforts to combat the COVID-19 situation in the country, informed ministry sources.

He held a review meeting virtually which was attended by Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, Army Chief Gen MM Naravane, Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh, and DRDO chairman G Satheesh Reddy and other officials.