Indian armed forces recalling retired medical personnel for Covid-19 duty

As India reels under an alarming surge of Covid-19 cases, the country's armed forces are recalling all their medical personnel who have retired or taken pre-mature retirement in the last two years to work in Covid-19 facilities for civilians near their present place of residence.

Indian Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat informed of the development when he called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi today, our New Delhi correspondent reports.

Modi and Gen Rawat reviewed the preparations and operations undertaken by the armed forces to deal with the coronavirus pandemic, the Indian PMO said in a statement.

Other medical officers who retired from the armed forces earlier have also been requested to make their services available for consultation through medical emergency helplines.

The PM was also informed that all medical officers on staff appointments at command headquarters will be employed at hospitals.

Gen Rawat informed Modi that nurses are being employed in large numbers to complement the doctors at the hospitals.

Modi was also briefed that oxygen cylinders available with the armed forces in various establishments will be released for hospitals.

Gen Rawat said the armed forces are creating medical facilities in large numbers and wherever possible, military medical infrastructure will be made available to civilians.