IAF hospital in Bengaluru to carry out Covid19 tests

Bengaluru: The Command Hospital Air Force Bangalore (CHAFB) has been designated as the first laboratory in the IAF to undertake COVID-19 testing. This will enable quick testing of suspected cases and allow prompt and timely intervention where required.

The IAF has created nine quarantine facilities with a capacity of 200-300 each at nodal IAF bases across the country.

To monitor the prevailing situation and provide immediate assistance as required, a 24x7 crisis management cell has been set up at Air Headquarters and various Command Headquarters.

IAF aircraft are being used to fly in medical supplies and doctors to Leh and fly out blood samples for COVID testing to Chandigarh and Delhi.

All measures and directives issued by the government towards containing the spread of COVID-19 have been strictly enforced across all IAF stations.

Meanwhile, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) said its laboratories have manufactured 20,000 litres of sanitizer and supplied it to various organisations, including 10,000 litres to the Delhi police. DRDO has also supplied 10,000 masks to Delhi police personnel. It is tying up with some private companies to make personal protection equipment such as body suits and also ventilators.

Ordnance Factory Board has also ramped up production of sanitizers, masks and body suits. Bharat Electronics Limited is engaged in the manufacture of ventilators.