The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has set up a 500-bed Covid Care Hospital in Haldwani, Uttarakhand. The Centre will become fully operational from 3rd June for the people of Uttarakhand, providing timely essential medical care during the pandemic. It has been dedicated and named after late General Bipin Chandra Joshi who belonged to Uttarakhand and was the 17th Chief of the Indian Army.
The facility comprises of 375 Oxygen beds and 125 ICU beds with ventilators. With 100 per cent power backup, it is centrally air-conditioned for all weather conditions. Pathology laboratory, Pharmacy, X-Ray and ECG etc., are an inherent part of the facility, according to an official statement.
A control centre with Wi-Fi, CCTVs and helpline number has also been established for proper monitoring and hospital management through modern system software. Doctors and nursing staff to run the facility would be provided by co-located Government Medical College, Haldwani, the statement said.
This hospital, which has been built in 21 days, is the result of the efforts of the workforce of 350 persons who worked relentlessly round the clock under adverse weather conditions. This time-bound challenging task involved coordination with various government agencies and arranging a mammoth quantity of stores amidst the countrywide lockdown. Ample measures have been taken in the design and functioning of the hospital to meet any unforeseen challenges in future. Mandatory fire safety norms have been ensured with fire detection alarm system, fire hydrants, and fire-fighting equipment have been catered for.
The second wave of the raging pandemic has forced DRDO to pitch in for setting up medical care across the country. Several hospitals for COVID-19 have been set up by the DRDO in cities like Delhi, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Varanasi, Gandhi Nagar, Jammu and Srinagar.
Team BharatShakti
