New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on April 1 reviewed through video conference the assistance being extended by various organisations of Ministry of Defence to fight COVID-19.

Minister of State for Defence Shripad Naik, Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal R K S Bhadauria, Chief of Army Staff General M M Naravane, Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar, Secretary (Defence Production) Raj Kumar, Secretary (Ex-Servicemen Welfare) Ms Sanjeevanee Kutty, Secretary (Defence Finance) Ms Gargi Kaul, Secretary Department of Defence R&D and Chairman Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Dr G Satheesh Reddy, Director General Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) Lt Gen Anup Banerji, heads of Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) and other senior civil and military officials attended the meeting through video conferencing.

Singh appreciated the efforts being made by various Services, organisations and DPSUs in terms of evacuation, provision of health care in quarantine facilities and research and production of medical equipment such as sanitisers, facemasks and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

He directed all the organisations to redouble their efforts and work in close coordination with other ministries and organisations of Central Government in this crucial time.

Chief of Defence Staff General Rawat informed Singh that separate hospitals have been identified to exclusively deal with COVID-19 and more than 9,000 hospital beds have been made available. Over 1,000 evacuees are quarantined at facilities in Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Chennai, Manesar, Hindan and Mumbai. Their quarantine period will end by April 7.

The Navy Chief informed the Minister that naval ships are on standby to extend any required assistance. He said, the Navy is also extending assistance as required by local civilian administration.

The Air Chief told the meeting that Air Force planes conducted several sorties within the country in the last five days to transport approximately 25 tonnes of medical supplies. He said, critical operational work is continuing while ensuring all necessary precautions.

The Army Chief said more than 8,500 doctors and support staff are available to extend necessary assistance to civilian administration. Referring to the Minister’s direction that help should be provided to neighbouring countries, he said assistance to Nepal in the form of medical equipment will be delivered shortly.

Secretary Department of Defence R&D and DRDO Chairman informed the Defence Minister that 50,000 litres of sanitisers made by DRDO labs were supplied to various security entities, including Delhi Police and another one lakh litres were supplied all over the country.

He said, a five-layered nano technology face mask N99 are being made on war footing. 10,000 have already been made and soon per day production will be extended to 20,000. DRDO labs have also supplied 40,000 other face masks to Delhi Police.

DRDO Chairman being a member of the empowered Group of Secretaries is coordinating closely with Ministry of Health and Family Welfare regarding the requirement of medical equipment. Another DRDO laboratory has also made arrangements to make 20,000 PPE per day.

DRDO is also engaged in minor modification of ventilators so that one machine can support four patients at the same time.

DG, AFMS said necessary equipment has been procured and dispatched to various hospitals. Retired health professionals have also been kept in readiness to volunteer their services. Approximately 25,000 National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets are being mobilised to provide necessary local assistance.

Various DPSUs such as Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited (MIDHANI), Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML), Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) and Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) have contributed Rs 40 crores of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds to Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations (PM-CARES) Fund.

In addition, they have also contributed one day salary of all their employees to the PM-CARES Fund. Following the direction from the Minister, the DPSUs conveyed to him that they have made salary payment to all the casual and contractual workers also.

Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) is also engaged in manufacturing hand sanitisers, face masks and PPE.