All medical staff of the armed forces who have retired or taken pre-mature retirement in the last two years are being recalled to work in Covid facilities within the proximity of their present place of residence, the government said on Monday.
Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat told Prime Minister Narendra Modi about this decision as they reviewed preparations and operations being undertaken by the armed forces to deal with the second wave of the pandemic raging across the country.
Medical officers who retired from the services earlier than two years have also been requested to make their services available for consultation through medical emergency helplines, a statement said.
General Rawat also informed the PM that oxygen cylinders available with armed forces in various establishments will be released for hospitals. PM was also informed that all medical officers on staff appointments at Command HQ, Division HQ & similar HQ of Navy and Air Force will be employed at hospitals.
The PM also discussed with Rawat that Kendriya and Rajya Sainik Welfare Boards and officers posted in various headquarters in veterans cells may be instructed to coordinate the services of veterans to extend the reach to the maximum extent possible, including in remote areas.
