New Delhi, April 25 :  The Indian Navy on Sunday said that it has dispatched ships under the ‘Oxygen Express’ mission to the island Union Territories (UTs) in view of the rising Covid-19 cases.

Under this mission, the Southern Naval Command at Kochi has dispatched a ship carrying oxygen containers and other medical equipments to the Union Territory of Lakshadweep (UTL) administration at the early hours on April 25.

“INS Sharda, based at Kochi, undertook transfer of essential medical supplies to the capital of UTL at Kavaratti. The consignment was consisted of 35 Oxygen cylinders, Rapid Antigen Detection Test (RADT) kits, Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE), masks and other items to fight the COVID 19 pandemic,” the Indian Navy said.

The disembarkation of the consignment was coordinated by personnel from INS Dweeprakshak at Kavaratti. The ship then continued with her mission to the island of Minicoy for disembarkation of Oxygen cylinders and medical supplies it added.

Additionally, 41 empty Oxygen cylinders from the islands have been embarked on board Indian Navy hired vessel, Meghna which is now headed to Kochi for the refilling of the empty cylinders and will head back to UTL with filled cylinders soon to ensure that the Oxygen Express continues unabated, official in the Navy said.

The operations are being progressed under the supervision of the Naval Officer-in-Charge at Lakshadweep in coordination with the UTL Administration.

To assist the civil administration in fighting COVID 19 at the island of Kadmat, a Naval contingent comprising one doctor, two medical assistants and one additional sailor reached Kadmat in the morning today. These personnel have been deputed from SNC, Kochi as well as INS Dweeprakshak at Kavaratti.(UNI)