Defense ministry to airlift 23 oxygen generation plants from Germany
What's the story
The defense ministry has decided to airlift 23 mobile oxygen generation plants from Germany as several states reeled under an acute shortage of medical oxygen due to a massive surge in coronavirus cases, officials said Friday.
They said each plant will have a capacity to produce 40 liters of oxygen per minute and 2,400 liters every hour.
Details
Plants to be installed in AFMS hospitals treating COVID-19 patients
Principal Spokesperson in the Defense Ministry A Bharat Bhushan Babu said the plants will be deployed in the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) hospitals treating COVID-19 patients.
The ministry's decision came four days after Defense Minister Rajnath Singh announced granting emergency financial powers to the three services and other defense agencies to make necessary procurement to enhance medical infrastructure in view of the pandemic.
Transport
Oxygen plants expected to be airlifted within a week
"The mobile oxygen generation plants will be deployed in AFMS hospitals catering to the COVID-19 patients," Babu said. He said the oxygen-generating plants are expected to be airlifted within a week.
Another official said the Indian Air Force has been told to remain ready to keep its transport aircraft ready to bring the plants from Germany once required paper works are completed.
COVID-19
Second wave of COVID-19 has hit India harder
More oxygen generation plants may be procured from abroad. The plants being procured are easily portable.
India is struggling with the second wave of coronavirus infection and hospitals in several states are reeling under a shortage of medical oxygen and beds. India recorded a one-day tally of 3.32 lakh new coronavirus cases and 2,263 new fatalities, according to official data released on Friday.