Owing to the staggering number of COVID-19 cases in Lucknow, the DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organization) is setting up several makeshift hospitals in the city. The hospitals are expected to have an uninterrupted flow of oxygen, which is vital in saving lives and helping those who have contracted the virus.
To turn the expectation into reality, the DRDO will fit the COVID-19 facilities with an oxygen supply technology that is utilized in Tejas fighter jets. This is the first time that self-sustainable oxygen supply technology for fighter pilots is being taken into consideration for makeshift hospitals in Uttar Pradesh.
DRDO’s makeshift hospitals in Lucknow will come up at 3 locations
Earlier last week, a team of DRDO officials visited the city to gauge the best places to set up provisional hospitals in Lucknow. The hospitals are being set up at Haj House, Golden Blossoms resort and a more comprehensive ad hoc hospital will come up at Awadh Shilpgram.
Services at DRDO hospitals
While uninterrupted oxygen flow is the most vital aspect of these hospitals, they will also be fitted with nearly 250-300 beds each and will be run by doctors, nurses and support staff from the Armed Forces Medical Services. The hospitals are expected to begin services next week.
The DRDO has developed a medical oxygen plant as a spin-off technology of the ‘On board oxygen generation system’ (OBOGS) of the combat aircraft, Tejas. Pilots need fresh oxygen at high altitudes and the DRDO seems to have replicated the technology to allow it to work in a hospital.
Once set up, the technology can help in the continuous supply of oxygen to critical COVID patients. The tech can also refill oxygen cylinders and eradicate logistical problems related to cylinder transportation from one point to another. Overall, the technology will help towards the increasing demand for oxygen in COVID-19 hospitals.
