Rajnath Singh discusses COVID crisis! Defence medical facilities to open for civilians
20 Apr 2021 12:25:36
New Delhi, Apr 20: Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to the Chief of Army Staff General MM Naravane, Defence Secretary and Chief of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) about the worsening COVID 19 situation in the country. In order to cater the situation well, the Minister has asked them to offer available facilities and expertise to civilians during the ongoing COVID crisis.
Rajnath Singh directed the Army Chief to instruct local commanders to reach out to Chief Ministers of states and offer whatever help possible in dealing with the COVID-19 situation. Following this, Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar also issued instructions that during the current surge of coronavirus cases, 67 Cantt Board Hospitals across India be advised to ensure medical service to patients both Cantt residents and non-residents.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has supplied 150 jumbo cylinders of medical oxygen to the Uttar Pradesh govt, as per directions by Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. An additional 1,000 cylinders would be provided by the DRDO later. The oxygen would be supplied to hospitals in Lucknow for COVID-19 patients.
India is currently witnessing the second surge of the COVID-19 pandemic. India has registered 1,761 Covid deaths in the last 24 hours, the biggest one-day spike, and over 2.59 lakh new cases. According to the Health Ministry, there are currently 19,29,329 active cases in the country as of Monday. The death toll reached 1,78,769, including 1,761 in the last 24 hours.