New Delhi, April 17

A list of retired Army Medical Corps officers and paramedic staff has been readied for any exigency while 50 military hospitals have been notified as dedicated Covid hospitals.

In case the need arises, retired personnel may be requested to volunteer for working in hospitals at their current home stations. Forty three officers and 990 paramedics have volunteered till date, the Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh was informed at review meeting today.

Meanwhile, to cater for isolation and treatment (including ICU-based care) for Covid-19 cases, a notification has been issued for 50 military hospitals to be dedicated as Covid and mixed Covid hospitals.

These hospitals have a combined bed capacity of 9,038 patients. Civilian Covid-19 cases would also be admitted in these hospitals to cater to any surge in cases.

Training activities have been suspended at AMC Centre & College, Lucknow, and Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune. Approximately, 650 medical officers undergoing postgraduate training at the AFMC will be reverted back to units for provision of medical cover depending on the evolving situation. — TNS