Kashmir today received its first consignment of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) kits, N-95 masks and medical supplies after the outbreak of coronavirus.
The 2000 kg consignment was airlifted from Mumbai in acommercial cargo flight, airport officials said.
As per officials, the consignment comprising hundreds ofPPEs and N-95 masks was dispatched to the SK Institute of Medical Sciences,Soura and the Lal Ded hospital here.
“Yes, we have received the (medical) supplies and it isright now being unloaded. By late tonight, we will come to know about the exactnumber of PPE kits and N-95 masks in it,” Director SKIMS, Dr A G Ahanger said.
He said it was the first consignment to have been receivedand it was just a part of the “actual requirement”. However he hastened toadd that it will help meet the growing demand of PPEs and N-95 masks to a greatextent.
The Air India flight that arrived at Srinagar on Friday wasthe first cargo consignment of medical supplies for any of the Valley hospitalsever since the airport operations were suspended on March 22.
Pertinently, many doctors had appealed the administration toprovide them the proper personal protective equipment in the wake ofcoronavirus spread. “Non availability ofPPEs is the core issue we are facing right now. Early procurement of the stocksshould also be taken care of, but nonetheless arrival of the first consignmentis a welcome move,” said a doctor.
Earlier, on Thursday, as many as 2700 kg emergency supplieshad arrived at the Srinagar Airport through a special flight. The suppliesmostly comprising sterilising equipment to be used by Srinagar MunicipalCorporation was airlifted in an Indian Air Force aircraft, AAI officials said.
The Air Force special cargo flight on Thursday had alsoairlifted protective clothing, N-95 masks and medicine for defence personnel.