The Centre has roped in Indian Air Force (IAF) transport aircraft to lift oxygen cylinders, regulators and medicines to Delhi and National Capital Region, the sources in the Defence Ministry said here.
The hospitals in Delhi and NCR region have been facing a huge scarcity of oxygen cylinders due to huge influx of Coronavirus infected patients in Delhi and surrounding areas.
The move comes after the review meeting held by the Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to aid civil administration and the IAF has started airlifting personnel, doctors and nursing staff to help the government battle the pandemic.
The Air Force has airlifted doctors and nursing staff from various Base Hospitals such as Kochi, Mumbai, Vizag and Bengaluru for setting up of a Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Covid hospital at Delhi, Lucknow, Patna, Muzaffarpur and other places.
The Defence Minister also approved for emergency purchase of critical medical supplies under emergency powers of procurement.
Singh has also directed the Armed Force Medical Services (AFMS) to mobilise its man power and other resources in various military hospitals dealing with COVID patients.
