India Navy Sets Up Covid Care Centre at INS Kalinga for General Public

As part of the Indian Navy’s efforts to assist the general population of Bheemunipatnam in dealing with the second wave of the Covid-19 virus, a 60-bed Covid Care Centre has been set up at INS Kalinga, Bheemunipatnam.

This facility was dedicated to the public by AP Tourism Minister and Bheemunipatnam MLA Muttamsetti Srinivasa Rao on 11 May. The Commanding Officer, INS Kalinga said that the Covid Care Centre has adequate facilities to provide treatment to patients with moderate symptoms from Bheemunipatnam Mandal and adjoining areas. Administrative and logistic support along with food conservancy services and medical equipment is being provided by the Navy.

As per a press statement circulated by the Navy, the Covid Care Centre will be manned by three doctors and 10 nursing staff provided by the Community Health Centre. Towards the maintenance and running, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Commanding Officer INS Kalinga, Cmde Neeraj Uday and the Superintendent of the Community Health Centre Bheemunipatnam in the presence of the Tourism Minister and the District Medical and Health Officer Dr G Suryanarayana.

The release added, “The COVID Care Centre has medical facilities to provide care to patients with mild to moderate symptoms. Fourteen beds out of 60 have the provision for oxygen support through cylinders and oxygen concentrators. Suitable accommodation for the doctors and nursing staff in the proximity of the COVID Care Centre has also been provided to ensure round the clock services to patients.”

In addition to the COVID Care Centre at Bheemunipatnam, additional facilities are being created in consultation with the state governments.

The Eastern Naval Command besides deploying ships for transporting relief material from overseas has also set up a 50-bed COVID Care Centre at INS Eksila, Gajuwaka for COVID positive Armed Forces Veterans, and another 200-bed COVID Care Centre at Naval Dockyard Visakhapatnam for use by a large number of Defence Civilians.