DRDO_IndiaDefence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has installed its Ultra Violet disinfection chamber at the Cochin International Airport in Kerala. On April 7, the DRDO had deployed a disinfectant chamber at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in the national capital to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.

DRDO officials said that the chamber uses a solution that is known to kill COVID-19 and will help in controlling the spread of coronavirus. The DRDO has been working on providing a large number of medical and personal protection equipment for healthcare personnel in the country.

Recently, it had developed an ultraviolet (UV) disinfection tower for rapid and chemical-free disinfection of high infection-prone areas.

On other Armed Services News,Personal Protective Equipment designed and produced by Indian Navy has been tested by INMAS and is certified to be mass produced and used in clinical COVID situations. INMAS is a DRDO organization tasked with testing and certification of PPE.

Shortage of PPEs during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is of serious concern as it imperils the well-being and availability of the healthcare workforce, apart from adversely impacting their security and morale. Indian Navy has risen to this challenge of making available this critical resource in the fight against COVID. A team formed by the Innovation Cell, Institute of Naval Medicine, Mumbai and the Naval Dockyard Mumbai collaborated to design and produce PPEs. The outstanding features of the PPEs are its simple, innovative and cost-effective design.

Meanwhile,Ministry of Railways has converted 5,231 of its coaches as COVID Care Centres. These coaches can be used for very mild cases that can be clinically assigned to the COVID Care centers as per guidelines issued by Health Ministry. These coaches can be used in areas where state has exhausted the facilities and needs to augment capacities for isolation of both suspected and confirmed COVID cases.

A total of 215 stations have been identified for placement of COVID Care Centres. Out of these 215 stations, Railways will provide health care facilities in 85 stations. In rest of the 130 stations, states will request COVID Care Coaches only if they are willing to provide staff and essential medicines. Indian Railways will take care of water, electricity, repairs, catering and security of COVID Care Centres. Besides, Indian Railways will deploy more than 2,500 doctors and 35,000 paramedic staff to meet the COVID-19 challenge. Around 5,000 beds in 17 dedicated hospitals and 33 hospital blocks in Railway Hospitals have been identified for treatment of COVID-19 patients getting ready any contingency. As per guidelines of Health Ministry, State Governments would send the requisition to Railways and Railways will make allocation of these coaches to the States and Union Territories.