As part of the fight against COVID-19, the Southern Naval Command, Kochi, undertook a transfer of essential medical supplies to the Union territory of Lakshadweep, on Sunday.
INS Sharda, based at Kochi, transferred 35 oxygen cylinders, Rapid Antigen Detection Test (RADT) kits, Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE), masks and other items to Kavaratti, capital of Lakshadweep.
The disembarkation was coordinated by personnel from INS Dweeprakshak at Kavaratti. The ship then continued with the mission to the island of Minicoy for disembarkation of oxygen cylinders and medical supplies, a statement from said.
Besides, 41 empty oxygen cylinders from the islands have been embarked onboard Indian Navy-hired vessel, Meghna. The empty cylinders will be refilled in Kochi and taken back to the islands to ensure 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, the statement said.
To assist the civil administration in fighting the pandemic at the island of Kadmat, a Naval contingent comprising one doctor, two medical assistants and one additional sailor reached Kadmat. The personnel have been deputed from SNC, Kochi as well as from INS Dweeprakshak, Kavaratti.
The Southern has also reserved ten beds, including ICU facilities, for patients from Lakshadweep at INHS Sanjivani, Kochi. Besides, Naval Air Station INS Garuda has also been placed on alert to extend Naval airfield facilities for helicopters ferrying patients from the islands.
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.