WATCH: Indian Navy deploys ‘Oxygen Express’ to Island territories
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New Delhi, April 26: With an aim to fight against COVID-19, the Indian Navy has deployed ‘Oxygen Express’ to island territories. The Oxygen Express delivered Covid relief materials like oxygen cylinders, rapid antigen testing kits, and others to Lakshadweep.
After the Indian Air Force (IAF) transported Covid relief items from one part of the country to another, the Navy is now come forward once again in carrying out operations to provide essentials to the affected states.
"The Indian Navy ships under Headquarters Southern Naval Command at Kochi are progressing with the mission OXYGEN EXPRESS in order to render support to the local administration of the Union Territory of Lakshadweep [UTL]. On April 25, INS Sharda, based at Kochi, undertook transfer of essential medical supplies to Kavaratti, capital of Lakshadweep," a statement from Indian Navy said.
The Oxygen express consisted of 35 Oxygen cylinders, Rapid Antigen Detection Test (RADT) kits, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), masks and other items. The disembarkation of stores was coordinated by personnel from INS Dweeprakshak at Kavaratti. The ship then continued with her mission to the island of Minicoy for disembarkation of Oxygen cylinders and medical supplies.
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The Navy also said, apart from this, additionally, 41 empty Oxygen cylinders from the islands have been embarked on board Indian Navy hired vessel, Meghna. The vessel is now headed to Kochi for the refilling of the empty cylinders and will head back to UTL with filled cylinders soon to ensure that the Oxygen Express continues unabated. The operations are being progressed under the supervision of the Naval Officer-in-Charge at Lakshadweep in coordination with the UTL Administration.
To assist the civil administration in fighting COVID 19 at the island of Kadmat, a Naval contingent comprising one doctor, two Medical Assistants, and one additional sailor reached Kadmat AM on Sunday. The personnel has been deputed from SNC, Kochi as well as from INS Dweeprakshak, Kavaratti.
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HQSNC has also reserved ten beds including ICU facilities for patients from Lakshadweep at INHS Sanjivani, Kochi to cater for shortages in beds at the islands. Also, Naval Air Station INS Garuda has also been placed on alert to extend Naval airfield facilities for UTL helicopters ferrying patients.
Air Evacuation Pods developed indigenously by the Naval Aircraft Yard, Kochi to airlift COVID-19 patients from the Islands as well as from elsewhere are also being made ready for emergency requirements.